The federal government has pleaded with labour unions in the country to shelve its planned indefinite nationwide strike scheduled to begin on Monday, June 3.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) had declared a nationwide strike on Friday over the federal government’s failure to agree on the union’s proposed new minimum wage.
But the minister noted that strike action was not the solution to the problem adding that the unions should consider the issues raised by the federal government during negotiations.
“The government is pleading with Labour to reconsider its position. The FG has already made an offer of N60,000, and whatever the government does is in the interest of Nigerians.
“We won’t like to do something that will throw the country into another problem,” Mohammed told Punch.
“Even as we do that, we are pleading with Labour. They are partners in this project called ‘Nigeria’ and we expect them to join hands with the FG as it strives to look for solutions that will take Nigeria to the desired prosperity.”
Speaking further, the minister explained that the need to find common ground was the reason for setting up the tripartite committee in the first place.
He also pleaded that the unions should not allow the progress they had made so far to be eroded, adding that he was optimistic an agreement could still be reached with them.
“Our message is that of an appeal and the need for Labour to see reason with the government. That was even the basis for setting up the tripartite committee that was made up of Organised Labour, the sub-nationals and the FG. This was because the government just didn’t want to make unilateral decisions. In any case, the position on the wage regime is not a one-sided thing.
“We expect that they will see reason with the government. That is why we are calling on them to show understanding by not embarking on the strike because we don’t want that at this point. A strike is not the solution to our problem. We are continuing our negotiation with them. The minister and other stakeholders are still talking to them and we believe that we will find a common ground,” he stated.