Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment, has stated that the demand for salary increases among employees is not peculiar to Nigeria.
He described the trend as a global phenomenon that has been exacerbated in recent years by global economic shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.
The minister in a statement by his spokesperson, Olajide Oshundun, said: “The other day that I passed through Bailey, they said airport workers were on strike, only for four days. When I passed through London, the railway workers were on strike, only for three days.They are all demanding for more pay. Workers demand for more pay is not peculiar to Nigeria, but the problem everywhere in the world today is as a result of global economic crunch, occasioned by COVID-19, the war in Ukraine and other things that make it look like everybody will die today. We will not die today; we only have to adjust both as individuals and as a country to survive the crunch.”
Ngige said the International Labour Organization (ILO) recognises “social dialogue” as the best methodology for addressing industrial issues and that whether the problem is demand for more wages, or quest for better conditions of service, once discussions commences on a round table it must be given a social face.
He, however, regretted that in Nigeria, people choose to disobey the law, rather than do the right thing, while those who obey the law and insist on due process, are condemned as ‘odd’.
“In Nigeria, the man who implements the law is a very wicked and stingy man. He is seen as a man who does not understand what the law says. It is even worse in government.”
He warned that if Nigeria must make progress, people should not be made to look odd because they obey the laws of the land.
Ngige, however, expressed hope that Nigeria would make tremendous progress if citizens obey the laws and do the right thing in all facets of national life.
He thanked Business Day newspaper for finding him worthy, fit and proper for an award and assured he would not let them down.
While presenting the award, Publisher of Business Day, Frank Aigbogun acknowledged Ngige’s meritorious service to Nigeria.
Those who accompanied Ngige to the award ceremony include the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Ms. Kachallom Daju, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Employment and Job Creation, Mrs. Matilda Mmegwa, Directors and staff of the ministry.