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The Federal Government has pledged to improve the welfare of Nigerian workers as the country marked its 62nd independence.

Sen. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment said this in a statement by his Media Office on Friday in Abuja.

Ngige assured workers that the  President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration would leave no stones unturned in ensuring an improved welfare for all workers, in the face of extant challenges that had eaten into the New National Minimum Wage.

According to him, the Federal Government is not unmindful of the runaway prices of goods and services and their deleterious consequences  on salaries and wages.

“It is another opportunity to reflect on  the heroic roles which the Nigerian workforce, operating under different unions played in Nigeria’s independence struggle and the sustenance of that freedom since  Oct. 1, 1960.

“Nothing is too much as compensation, hence, reason the present administration has continued to show unflinching commitment to the improved lots of all workers even in the face of dwindling national earnings.

“The new national minimum wage and its consequential adjustment (wage increase) were implemented in 2019.

“In spite of the economy slipping twice into recession, the President ensured that no worker in the Federal Government employment lost his or her job,” he said.

He also added that, even while COVID-19 forced the entire world on bended knees and millions lost their jobs globally, the Federal Government shielded its workers.

The Minister also said that, notwithstanding the two-third of the federal staff stayed at home, in conformity with COVID protocol and that their salaries were paid as and when due.

“Therefore, the Federal Government is concerned over the plight of workers, consequent upon the adverse effects of galloping inflation on salaries and wages.

“While this gale of inflation is a global phenomenon, and not restricted to Nigeria, we call for further understanding of workers as government plans an appropriate response.

“President Buhari has never failed Nigerian workers. Not now,” he said.

On the growing unemployment rate, Ngige said  his ministry had established a Labour Market Information System (LMIS).

He said the LMIS intended to generate, analyse and integrate job related  data from all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government,  to enable  the  sector policy makers track labour market indicators and generate employments.

He added that the focal officers who would be pivot of the scheme would soon begin  work in all the MDAs.

“The synergy arising from the system  will consolidate hitherto,  solo efforts and break new grounds in tackling the unemployment situation,” he said.

He,  therefore, commended  the Nigerian workers operating under different unions for their  immeasurable contributions to the sustenance of Nigeria’s independence.

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