Shift Ground On New Minimum Wage – LP To FG, Labour

The Labour Party has called on both the Federal Government and the Organized Labour to return to the negotiating table and arrive at an acceptable position for the sake of vulnerable Nigerians.

This is contained in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Obiora Ifoh in Abuja.

“As to the amount that is being demanded, it is our sincere opinion that both parties should come to an agreement, each party should shift their position in the spirit of negotiation so that we can have something that is reasonable from both sides. The amount being tabled by the Federal Government can be increased while the Organised Labour must also prune their demands. “

It also notes that few hours into the strike, Nigeria has been thrown into darkness, hospitals shut and water pipes drained thereby throwing Nigerians into yet another hardship.

“In order to remove that suffering from the people, both the government and the Labour have to shift ground to have a meeting point” Mr. Ifoh emphasizes.

The statement frowns at the Federal Government for allowing the indefinite strike to commence.

“It is our opinion that the Federal Government ought not to have allowed the strike to commence in the first instance, and whether a new minimum wage is due, the answer is yes, because the reality as at today is that the current minimum wage of N30.000 can not even take anybody home” the National Publicity Secretary adds.

“It cannot stand economic realities of the people as at today. This reality accords the importance of an upward review of the minimum wage”.

“We want to urge both parties to come back to the drawing table. We particularly appeal to the Federal Government, that they must play the role of the father figure by ensuring that Labour comes back to the table so that they can discuss and agree in order to avert the current suffering that the people are going through” Mr. Ifoh states.

According to the statement the government must show concern, sincerity and readiness to shift ground enough for the Labour to trust them and return to the negotiation table.

By Georgina Humphrey