Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejoecha, has appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to halt their planned strike, which is aimed at pushing for better minimum wage terms.
This plea comes amid a directive from the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), which, in solidarity with the NLC, has instructed its members to cease all operations related to the distribution and marketing of petroleum products starting from midnight on June 2, 2024.
Onyejoecha emphasized that initiating a strike during ongoing negotiations would worsen the hardship for millions of Nigerians.
She highlighted the government’s continuous efforts and commitment to addressing the workers’ demands, noting that the proposed solutions include a wage increase to ₦60,000 for federal workers, the introduction of CNG-fuelled buses, and better financial access for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Additionally, the government plans to invest in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, education, and healthcare.
The minister cautioned that any new minimum wage needs to be carefully considered to prevent significant job losses, especially within the Organised Private Sector, which employs the majority of the country’s workforce.
She reiterated that the government’s proposals were designed with the nation’s economic realities in mind and urged for patience and continued dialogue to reach a mutually beneficial resolution.
