The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have announced the commencement of an indefinite nationwide strike starting Monday, June 3rd, 2024.
This decision follows unsuccessful negotiations with the government regarding the proposed minimum wage and the recent controversial hike in electricity tariffs.
The negotiations broke down yesterday after the 37-member tripartite committee failed for the seventh time to agree on a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers. The organized labour expressed frustration over the government’s lack of commitment and representation at the meeting.
In response to the strike declaration, the federal government accused the labour unions of walking out of the negotiations and acting prematurely. Another meeting has been scheduled for Monday.
Earlier in the week, the federal government had increased its offer from N57,000 to N60,000. However, the organized labour rejected this proposal, even though they had slightly lowered their demand from N497,000 to N494,000.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, urged the labour unions to be considerate and patriotic in their demands for a new minimum wage. However, the unions remained steadfast, insisting on a living wage that reflects the current economic realities.
At a briefing in Abuja yesterday, NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero and TUC President expressed disappointment over the absence of substantive ministers at the meeting, indicating there was no federal authority to make decisions.
The labour unions criticized the government’s lack of seriousness and apparent disregard for the workers’ demands, citing the absence of key officials at the negotiation meetings as evidence of the government’s disinterest in resolving the minimum wage issue.
AGENDA NEWSPAPPER had previously reported that the organized labour issued an ultimatum to the federal government on May 1st, 2024, expressing dissatisfaction with the lack of meaningful progress from the government’s side.
