Labour Declares Indefinite Nationwide Strike Over Minimum Wage

The Organised Labour has announced an indefinite nationwide strike over the failure of the federal government to conclude negotiations on a new national minimum wage and reverse the hike in the electricity tariff.

At a joint press conference on Friday, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, President, Joe Ajaero and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, President, Festus Osifo, declared the strike, which will commence on Monday, June 3, 2024.

Naija News reported that the Organised Labour reportedly walked out on the federal government team at the Tripartite Committee meeting on the new national minimum wage.

The Union walked out of the negotiation when the government and the organized private sector remained adamant on the ₦60,000 offer made on Tuesday.

Speaking during the press conference, leaders of NLC and TUC pleaded with Nigerians to bear with them, saying, “Apologies for inconveniences but commitment to pursue the cause to its conclusion.”

Osifo added, “As you are aware, we had the last meeting preceding today, which was on Tuesday. In that meeting, they (the government) offered N60,000. They invited us for a meeting today (Friday), and we deliberated on it, thinking they were showing the necessary commitment.

“To our surprise, there was no serious representation from either the Federal Government or the state governors who are supposed to be part of the negotiations.

“So, technically, we felt they have abandoned us because they remained adamant about the N60,000 offer. Not even a kobo was added to what we rightfully rejected.”