On Monday morning, economic activities across Nigeria will grind to a halt as workers in various sectors, including banking, oil and gas, healthcare, electricity, aviation, judiciary, and universities, have been instructed by their respective unions to join a nationwide strike called by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC).
This indefinite strike was declared following a breakdown in negotiations over a new minimum wage with the government.
Unions such as the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN). Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE), Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nigeria Union of Railway Workers (NURW), National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU), National Union of Civil Engineering Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers (NUCECFWW), Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP), Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreation Services Employees (AUPCTRE), Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) have directed their members to participate in the strike, with letters urging mobilization and withdrawal of services starting from Monday.
The government, represented by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, has appealed to the NLC and TUC to reconsider the strike, emphasizing that it is not in the nation’s interest.
The government claims to have demonstrated commitment and goodwill throughout the negotiations, proposing a comprehensive package including a wage increase to N60,000 for federal workers, among other measures.
However, negotiations hit a roadblock on Friday when the tripartite committee failed to reach an agreement.
The government’s offer of N60,000 was deemed insufficient by labour, which was demanding N615,000 initially, later lowering it to N494,000.
The government expressed concern that a strike amid ongoing negotiations would worsen economic woes and the suffering of Nigerians.
