Minimum wage: NLC, TUC begin indefinitely strike Monday, June 3

By Stanley Onyekwere

Organised labour comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) will from Monday, June 3rd embark on an indefinite 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.

The leadership of both the NLC and TUC jointly declared a nationwide indefinite strike, following an inconclusive national minimum wage negotiation, and alleged refusal to  reverse the hike in electricity tariff.

Addressing journalists on Friday, at an emergency press briefing, the leaders of the workers’ unions expressed disappointment over the Federal Governments failure to conclude and pass into Law a new National Minimum Wage Act and reverse the hike in  electricity tariff to N65/kwh.

They explained that Nigerian workers are compelled by failures to meet their demands, to embark on an indefinite nationwide industrial action, so as to press home their demands.

Equally, they stressed that workers cannot and will not accept any further delays or excuses.

A text of press conference issued by the NLC and TUC leadership read in part:  “We are united in the cause, and we call on all our affiliates and state  Councils, Civil Society Organizations, market men and women and the general populace  to prepare for a decisive action.

“We carried out a nationwide one day protest on the 13th day of May 2024 giving the  government until the last day of this month to take action but the government has not

entirely shown any positive response despite the national outrage at this insensitive  hike.

“Nigerian workers, who are the backbone of our nation’s economy, deserve fair and decent wages that reflect the current economic realities.

“It is disheartening that despite our repeated calls and the clear ultimatum issued, the government continues to neglect

its responsibility to the workforce. It has rather than engage in a dialogue persistently

raised its attack dogs to seek to denigrate and intimidate trade union leaders.

“It continues to remain our belief that the people ought to be the only reason for  governance and nothing else. Government must therefore seek the welfare of the people

at all times and refusal to put the people first compels all patriots to take the right step

in assisting the government govern well.

“The hike in electricity tariff impoverishes further the already suffering people and denies them the right to decent living. Instead of taking remedial action or engaging in a meaningful dialogue, Nigerians were visited  with a barrage of the usual propaganda.

“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. We reiterated that the since the National  Minimum Wage negotiation exercise has not been concluded and the agreed wage  passed into law; the hike in electricity tariff not reversed and categorization of  consumers into Bands not stopped as demanded.

“The welfare of Nigerian workers and people is non-negotiable, and we are ready to take all necessary steps to ensure that their rights are protected and their voices  heard.

“We regret the inconveniences this refusal of the federal government to heed our  demands may cause all of us but we assure you of our determination to pursue this  cause to its conclusion.”