The Federal Government has expressed its willingness to address the new National Minimum Wage and other palliatives arising from the removal of fuel subsidies.
Mr. Simon Lalong, the new Minister of Labour and Employment, made the pledge during his assumption of office with the Minister of State for Labour and Employment on Monday in Abuja.
Lalong said that this was imperative in order to boost the relationship with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
According to him, the government, through the ministry, shall work closely with the NLC, TUC, and their affiliates to ensure that all pending industrial disputes are settled amicably.
“But also addressing with strong determination the new minimum wage and other palliatives arising from the removal of fuel subsidies.
“I use this opportunity to specially convey the appreciation of President Bola Tinubu to organized labour and Nigerian workers in general for exercising tremendous understanding and patience with the current situation.
“The government does not take this for granted, and Mr. President has directed that we move on with negotiations to arrive at amicable resolutions that will help our workers overcome the current pains, he said.
He said that Mr. President had mandated them to handle the very important aspects of Labour and employment that were critical to national development and prosperity.
Lalong said that the task was certainly enormous but achievable, especially with the abundant human resources Nigeria was endowed with.
The minister also said that under his stewardship, the Ministry of Labour and Employment would fulfill its mandate to ensure decent work for all Nigerians.
According to him, this is making sure that our citizens, particularly the youth and women, get the opportunity to deploy their energy, creativity, talent, and gifts for the development of the nation.
“Our workers must get value for their labour and operate in a safe and conducive environment. Because of the level of unemployment, underemployment, and challenges associated with the work environment.
“We have been mandated by Mr. President to ensure that Nigerians get decent employment and are adequately remunerated for their labor both in the public and private sectors.
“We shall not spare any effort to protect the Nigerian worker and guarantee his dignity at all times, he said.
Lalong also said that this administration would therefore escalate relations with the private sector, development partners, international agencies, and NGOs, among others.
He said that this would ensure that unemployment and underemployment were reduced to the barest minimum according to the plan of the Tinubu administration.
He added that, overall, the ministry shall leverage technology, skill acquisition, entrepreneurship, and agriculture, among others, to open up more employment opportunities for all Nigerians.
“This is in addition to current safety net jobs and new ones that this government will initiate within the coming weeks and months, he said.
He, however, commended the President for the appointment while pledging to do all within his power to assist the President in fulfilling his Renewed Hope Agenda for a better Nigeria.
He added that we therefore need your support and understanding to succeed.
Also, Mrs Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of State Labour and Employment commended Mr President for the appointment.
Onyejeocha urged all to join hands and support the Bola Tinubu administration in conducting the affairs of the country to ensure development and prosperity.
“Our youths are on the streets, and as a ministry, we must take them out of the streets; it is our mandate, and we must make that change.
“It is a call to service, and we asked God to enable us to achieve the purpose,” she said.
Mrs. Juliana Adebambo, Director, Productivity Measurement in the ministry, and also the acting Permanent Secretary, pledged support for their tenure.
Adebambo, while handing a brief of the ministry mandates and activities to the ministers, said she was hopeful they would deliver on their mandate.
NAN
