The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, has urged organised labour to demonstrate consideration and patriotism in their call for a new national minimum wage.

Onyejeocha stressed that the government has consistently taken measures to secure a fair and realistic wage for workers and, therefore, appealed to Labour to acknowledge that the nation’s economy is still recovering from the impact of the pandemic and other economic challenges.

Acknowledging the importance of ensuring citizens’ decent living standards, the minister assured Labour of the government’s commitment to making this a reality.

The minister made the appeal on Wednesday, in a statement by the Director of Press and Public Relations of the ministry, Olajide Oshundun.

She said, “We appeal to organised labour and indeed, other relevant stakeholders to be considerate and patriotic in their demands, recognising that our economy is still recovering from the devastating effects of the pandemic and other global economic shocks. We are committed to putting the people first and ensuring that our economic policies benefit all Nigerians, not just a select few.

“The government remains dedicated to prioritising the well-being of our citizens and urges all relevant parties to demonstrate patriotism and understanding, particularly during this critical period when the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is working diligently to revitalise the economy. We recognise that the economic challenges we face are complex and multifaceted, and we require the collective effort of all stakeholders to overcome them.

“Yesterday’s meeting with organised labour was a significant step in our ongoing efforts to secure a fair and realistic wage for Nigerian workers. As a government, we recognise the importance of ensuring that our citizens receive a decent standard of living, and we are committed to making this a reality.

“After hours of intense negotiations, labour leaders took a recess to consult with other key stakeholders and have pledged to return to the negotiating table for further discussion. We welcome this development and are optimistic that our continued engagement will yield a positive outcome.

“In light of the current economic conditions, we have made a concessionary move from N57,000 to N60,000. This increase is a demonstration of our willingness to listen to the concerns of labour and work towards a mutually beneficial agreement. We understand that the current economic landscape is challenging, and we are doing everything in our power to mitigate its effects on our citizens. This is the path that this government has chosen to pursue, and we will not deviate or stray from the course.”

The ministry further noted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to improving the living standards of Nigerians and enjoined Nigerians to support him.

She said, “President Tinubu has been tireless in his efforts to revitalise the economy and improve the standard of living for all Nigerians. His commitment to creating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and reducing poverty is genuine, and we appeal to all to support him in this endeavour.

“As we move forward, we will continue to engage with organised labour and other stakeholders to ensure that our economic policies are inclusive and beneficial to all. We recognise that the times are challenging, but we are confident that with the collective effort of all Nigerians, we can overcome any obstacle and build a brighter future for ourselves and future generations.”