Our Survival Under Threat — NLC, TUC
- Labour’s Demands: Action won’t cease until Minimum Wage agreement is signed
- Support from Critical Sectors: Oil, electricity, maritime, financial, and other unions rally behind the strike
As the nationwide strike over a new national minimum wage and increased electricity tariffs looms, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed its state councils to ensure total compliance.
This development comes as unions in essential sectors such as oil, electricity, and finance pledged full support for the indefinite strike declared by NLC and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC).
Last Friday, the two major labour centres announced an indefinite nationwide strike starting tomorrow (Monday) due to the government’s failure to finalize a new national minimum wage and reverse the recent electricity tariff hike.
Missed Deadline and Unfulfilled Promises
On Workers Day, NLC and TUC leaders issued an ultimatum to the Federal Government, setting a May 31 deadline to conclude negotiations on a new national minimum wage or face nationwide industrial action.
The tripartite committee on the new National Minimum Wage, established by the government, has failed to reach a decision after multiple meetings. Labour leaders walked out three times, rejecting offers from the government and the Organised Private Sector (OPS).
The most recent walkout occurred last Friday, coinciding with the deadline for the government to finalize the new minimum wage. The previous minimum wage of N30,000, signed into law by former President Muhammad Buhari on April 18, 2019, expired on April 18, 2024.
On May 31, labour negotiators walked out for the third time due to the government’s refusal to offer more than N60,000. This followed earlier increases from N48,000 to N57,000, and then to N60,000, which labour rejected, demanding N615,000.
Directive to State Councils
In a circular from its General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, the NLC instructed all state councils to mobilize and ensure a comprehensive shutdown of all workplaces starting midnight Sunday.
The circular stated: “This is to inform you of the commencement of the proposed indefinite nationwide strike beginning on Monday, June 3, 2024, due to the Nigerian state’s failure to agree on a new national minimum wage and pass it into law. Additionally, we demand the reversal of the electricity tariff hike from N225/kwh back to N66/kwh and an end to the apartheid categorization of Nigerian electricity consumers into Bands.”
No Agreement, No End to Strike
Addressing whether the strike would be called off if the government offers a higher amount, NLC President Joe Ajaero clarified: “The government can call for a continuation of negotiations, not an award. We need to sit down and negotiate from our current position, not accept an arbitrary offer. Until we sign an agreement that is mutually agreeable, the action will continue. We are negotiating under pressure, and the sooner we resolve this, the better for everyone.”
Credit: Alaro of Nigeria
