Labour declares nationwide strike over minimum wage

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have declared a nationwide strike over a proposed new minimum wage.

TUC’s president, Festus Osifo, announced the strike during a joint news conference with the NLC leadership in Abuja on Friday.

The nationwide strike is set to commence on Monday, June 3rd, 2024.

This decision comes in response to the failure of the government and labour unions to reach an agreement on a new minimum wage and reverse the recent hike in electricity tariffs.

In a joint statement, NLC and TUC express their “grave concern” and disappointment over the government’s failure to conclude and pass into law a new National Minimum Wage Act and reverse the vexatious hike in electricity tariff to N65/kwh.

The union accused the government of impoverishing the people further and denying them a decent living, especially through the tariff hike.

“Today’s meeting further demonstrated the unseriousness and apparent contempt with which the Nigerian state holds the demands of Nigerian workers and people. No governor was present and all ministers were absent except the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, who doubles as a conciliator. There was none present on the side of the government with appropriate authority to commit them to any outcome; in essence, the government abandoned the meeting,” the statement reads.

“Nigerian workers, who are the backbone of our nation’s economy, deserve fair and decent wages that reflect the current economic realities. It is disheartening that despite our repeated calls and the clear ultimatum issued, the government continues to neglect its responsibility to the workforce. It has rather than engage in a dialogue persistently raised its attack dogs to seek to denigrate and intimidate trade union leaders,

“It continues to remain our belief that the people ought to be the only reason for governance and nothing else. Government must therefore seek the welfare of the people at all times and refusal to put the people first compels all patriots to take the right step in assisting the government govern well. The hike in electricity tariff impoverishes further the already suffering people and denies them the right to decent living. Instead of taking remedial action or engaging in a meaningful dialogue, Nigerians were visited with a barrage of the usual propaganda.”

The union, however, called on all affiliates, state councils, civil society organisations, and the general public to prepare for decisive action, stating, “We cannot and will not accept any further delays or excuses. The welfare of Nigerian workers and people is non-negotiable, and we are ready to take all necessary steps to ensure that their rights are protected and their voices heard.

“We regret the inconveniences this refusal of the federal government to heed our demands may cause all of us but we assure you of our determination to pursue this cause to its conclusion.”

The organised labour withdrew from the negotiations and rejected two Federal Government offers; the most recent was N60,000.