The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have announced a nationwide strike set to begin on Monday, June 3, 2024.
This decision stems from unresolved negotiations with the Federal Government regarding a new minimum wage and the recent hike in electricity tariffs.
The TUC President, Festus Osifo, made the announcement at a joint news conference with the NLC leadership in Abuja on Friday. Labour leaders indicated that this action follows the expiration of an earlier deadline given to the Federal Government to finalize negotiations on a new minimum wage by the end of May.
Osifo stated, “In light of this persistent inaction, we, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), hereby issue a notice of commencement of an indefinite nationwide strike to the Federal Government.”
He emphasized that the ongoing nationwide industrial action is a direct response to the government’s failure to conclude the National Minimum Wage negotiation, reverse the hike in electricity tariffs, and cease the categorization of consumers into different bands.
Previously, labour unions withdrew from the negotiations and rejected two offers from the Federal Government, the most recent being a minimum wage proposal of N60,000. The unions are demanding a new minimum wage of N497,000.
The call for a new minimum wage has intensified following the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira, which have significantly increased the cost of living in Nigeria.
In response, labour leaders have proposed several measures to mitigate the impact of these economic changes, including the implementation of a new minimum wage and alternative transportation modes.
A committee comprising labour leaders, government officials, and representatives from the organized private sector was established to negotiate the new minimum wage.
However, despite numerous meetings, the committee failed to reach an agreement, leading to the declaration of the strike by the NLC and TUC. The Federal Government has not yet issued a response to this latest development.
