Despite the federal government’s earlier pleas for consideration, organized labor has embarked a nationwide strike today over the new national minimum wage.
A meeting on Sunday night between labor leaders and the National Assembly ended without an agreement.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) decided to proceed with the strike on Monday, June 3, while negotiations continue.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio said their efforts to stop the strike failed and expressed concern about the economic impact.
The Attorney General (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, warned that the strike was premature and illegal.
Presidential media adviser, Ajuri Ngelale also warned that a significant minimum wage increase could harm the economy.
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed said many states couldn’t afford the proposed wage, and Sultan of Sokoto Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar urged labor to avoid actions that could worsen the situation.
Aviation unions threatened to shut down airports in solidarity if the strike was not called off.
TUC President, Festus Osifo praised Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki for raising the state minimum wage to N70,000.
The labor unions had previously given the government until May 31 to reverse a recent electricity tariff hike and finalize the new minimum wage.
The government had proposed a monthly minimum wage of up to N60,000, but labor rejected it, demanding N615,500 due to the high cost of living.
Addressing journalists in Abuja after the latest meeting with the leadership of the National Assembly, which lasted several hours, Osifo said the two labour centres – NLC and TUC – had presented their positions
He also said the labour movement had received the pleas from the National Assembly leadership to call off the strike, but such request was beyond the mandate of the labour negotiating team.
With today’s strike, the labour centres aim to pressure the government into offering a higher minimum wage. Both congresses insist on N494,000, which they consider adequate to reflect the current rising cost of living.
Today’s strike aims to pressure the federal government for a higher minimum wage.
Various labor unions, including those representing electricity, banking, public service, construction, health, judiciary, petroleum, railway, aviation, and journalism workers, have mobilized for the strike.
In letters directed to members, many affiliates such as the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), National Union of Banks Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE), the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), the National Union of Civil Engineering, Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers (NUCECFWW), and Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) have concluded mobilisation for today’s nationwide strike.
Other affiliates in conclusive mobilisation, include the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), the Nigeria Union of Railway Workers, the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
KanyiDaily recalls that the TUC president, Festus Osifo had previously shed light on the reason behind the proposed N615,000 new minimum wage
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