Amid the ongoing indefinite nationwide strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the federal government has pleaded with the leaders of the union to continue along the path of negotiations.
The federal government new position comes as it begins another round of meeting with labour leaders at the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
The nationwide strike declared by Organised Labour has shut down the national power grid, banks, courts, schools, among others, since Monday morning.
On Friday, NLC and TUC declared an indefinite strike over the federal government’s refusal to increase the minimum wage from N60,000.
But in a statement on Monday evening, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, urged the unions to continue along the path of negotiations with the Federal and State Governments, under the auspices of the Tripartite Committee “that has been established to fashion out a new, realistic minimum wage for the Nigerian people.”
According to the statement by the Minister: “As Government, we are desirous of a peaceful outcome, and we will do everything to make this happen. Yesterday, the leadership of the National Assembly met with the Unions. Today, we have offered another invitation to the Unions, to meet with us and continue our discussions.
“We will continue to engage, and continue to make ourselves very available in the context of these negotiations on behalf of the Nigerian people
“Let me make it clear that we are not opponents on this negotiating table. We are united by the fact that we want the best for the Federal Republic of Nigeria and for all 200 million citizens of the country.
“We have a responsibility to strike a measured and realistic balance, in this effort to arrive at a new minimum wage for Nigerians.”
