Following the indefinite strike declared by organized labor due to the Nigerian government’s failure to finalize and enact a new National Minimum Wage Act and to reverse the controversial increase in electricity tariffs to N65/kWh, the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has expressed its intention to join the industrial action.
NewdayReporters previously reported that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) announced an indefinite nationwide strike starting on Monday, June 3, 2024, to press their demands.
Labor unions have instructed their members across states and affiliated unions to fully participate in the strike to ensure that Nigerian workers receive a living wage. This follows the removal of all subsidies by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which has exacerbated the country’s economic situation.
In compliance with this directive, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has ordered its members to join the indefinite nationwide strike starting on Monday. In a statement released on Saturday by its General Secretary, Mr. Afolabi Olawale, the union reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring complete compliance with the directive.
Mr. Afolabi Olawale expressed the union’s concern and dismay over the federal government’s lack of sensitivity towards the crucial issue of negotiating a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers. He emphasized that the administration’s various socio-economic policies have impoverished the working populace of the country.
He called on the leaders of the union at all levels, units, zones, and branches to immediately initiate processes to ensure full compliance with the strike directive.
Similarly, the NUEE Acting General Secretary, Mr. Dominic Igwebike, announced that members are being mobilized to adhere to the strike directive starting on Monday. In his statement to the members, Mr. Igwebike outlined that, in addition to the unresolved negotiations on the minimum wage and the hike in electricity tariffs, the discriminatory categorization of Nigerian electricity consumers into bands is another reason for the strike.
“Given the above,” Mr. Igwebike stated, “all national, state, and chapter executives are requested to begin mobilizing our members to fully comply with this directive to ensure the government addresses the issues outlined. The withdrawal of services will commence at 12:00 midnight on Sunday, June 2nd,” he added.
