The Nigerian Labour Congress has advised Nigerians to start stocking foodstuff in preparation for another nationwide strike unless the federal government complies with its demand that workers be paid N30,000 as minimum wage.
After the NLC national executive council meeting on Wednesday, October 24, 2018, the Labour Congress has directed all affiliate unions, state councils, civil society allies, the informal sector to commence immediate mobilization of their members to comply with the deadline for the commencement of another nationwide industrial strike.
The meeting was held five days after The NLC first announced it was going on another indefinite nationwide strike on November 6, unless the federal government complies with its demand that workers be paid N30,000 as minimum wage.
They advised all Nigerians to start stocking up on food and all necessities as workers prepare to ensure total shutdown in the country, and urged all workers to disregard government’s directive on “no work, no pay”, saying that workers are already impoverished due to non-payment of salaries.
In a statement released by the NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, and General Secretary, Peter Essom, it states that Labour Congress will hold a joint organ meeting with all central working committees on November 2, 2018, in preparation for its full engagement with the government on national minimum wage. The statement reads:
“In furtherance of this, NEC-in-session directed all affiliate unions, state councils, civil society allies, the informal sector and other friends of workers and lovers of democracy to commence immediate mobilization of their members;
“The NEC advised Nigerians to start stocking food and other necessities of life as workers will ensure a total shutdown of the country”.
“The NEC, accordingly, resolved that the threat of “no work, no pay” will not deter it from embarking on strike when necessary as it has always complied with legal requirements precedent and will always comply with those requirements,”