The President of the Senate, Senator Godawill Akpabio, has said that the implementation of the national minimum wage of N494,000 demanded by the Organised Labour will force many private companies to dismiss their workers.
Akpabio stated this during an emergency meeting with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Abuja on Sunday evening.
Akpabio, who pleaded with the NLC and the TUC not to go on the indefinite nationwide strike slated for Monday, said people must also be mindful of collateral damage when the new minimum wage being demanded is approved.
“I don’t want us to end up with a lot of serious issues of unemployment because as soon as we arrive at the minimum wage, we will expect the private sector to also adhere and then if they are unable to do so, the next thing will be detachment of workers,” Akpabio said.
He, however, said whatever agreement will be made between the government and the Labour leaders will be in the interest of Nigerians.
“This is a major step in the right direction. Like you said, all of us are workers, we also have workers in our home, and our children are also workers. Whatever agreement we have done will be mutually beneficial to all, the government and the workers,” Akpabio added during the meeting.
