FG Alarmed Over Compliance, To Meet NLC, TUC Over Nationwide Strike

The Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government has through the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, NSIWC, summoned a meeting of the tripartite committee on the new national minimum wage for tomorrow.

Naija News recalls that the NSIWC had on May 31st met with organised labour but the negotiating team of the NLC and TUC walked out following government and organised private sector, OPS, refusal to go beyond the N60,000 they had earlier offered.

Sources told Vanguard on Monday that the government is alarmed by the level of compliance and participation by workers in the first day of indefinite nationwide strike.

Recall that the strike, which began at midnight on Sunday, June 2, 2024, is a response to the Federal Government’s refusal to increase the proposed minimum wage from N60,000.

The labour unions have been negotiating with the government for a new national minimum wage, citing the expiration of the current wage award in April 2024.

Despite the government’s offer of N60,000, the unions have insisted on a higher wage of N494,000, reduced from their initial demand of N497,000.

The government’s failure to meet their demands has led to the strike, which is expected to have far-reaching consequences on the country’s economy and daily life.

Several unions have joined the strike, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria, National Union of Electricity Employees, National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees, and Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria.

Aviation unions have also directed their members to withdraw services across airports in Nigeria, adding to the widespread disruption caused by the strike.