Nationwide Strike Commences.
A total lockdown commences this morning as a nationwide strike begins, following the breakdown of last-minute minimum wage negotiations.
After a four-hour meeting with the National Assembly leadership on Sunday evening in Abuja, the Organised Labour leaders announced that the nationwide industrial action, scheduled for Monday, June 3, 2024, would proceed as planned.
“For now, we don’t have the power to call off the strike. Tomorrow (Monday) morning, the strike will kick off as we take their (NASS) plea asking us to call off the strike to our various organs,” said Festus Osifo following the meeting.
Fuel distribution, healthcare, schools, courts, banks, and other essential services nationwide will shut down today as the organised labour embarks on an indefinite strike over minimum wage issues and the recent hike in electricity tariffs.
Earlier, Osifo, President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), met with Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas in Abuja. This meeting was a last-minute attempt by legislators to persuade the workers to call off their planned industrial action.
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The National Assembly stated that the meeting aimed to “avert the impending industrial action” set to commence on Monday, June 3, 2024, which they warned would have severe repercussions on the populace and economy.
The deadlock between the Federal Government and the unions over a new national minimum wage and the reversal of the recent electricity tariff hike led to Organised Labour’s decision to proceed with the strike.
Senate and House Labour Committee Chairmen, Diket Plang and Adegboyega Adefarati, also attended the meeting.
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Labour unions argue that the current minimum wage of ₦30,000 is insufficient to support an average Nigerian worker, noting that not all governors are paying the existing wage, which expired in April 2024, five years after the Minimum Wage Act of 2019 was signed by former President Muhammadu Buhari. The Act requires a review every five years to align with contemporary economic demands.
The unions gave the Federal Government a May 31 deadline for a new minimum wage. When this deadline passed without agreement, workers’ unions declared a nationwide strike starting Monday, June 3, 2024, due to the government’s failure to agree on a new minimum wage and reverse the electricity tariff hike.
During the failed negotiations, Labour rejected three government offers, the latest being ₦60,000. Both the TUC and the NLC withdrew from the talks, insisting on a new minimum wage of ₦497,000.
In preparation for the strike, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) instructed the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI), Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), and other senior staff associations to ensure total compliance.
Similarly, the Nigeria Labour Congress’ affiliates, including the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), and National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE), among other critical sector unions, directed their members to ensure full compliance.
Nationwide Strike Commences, Shutting Down Banks, Healthcare, Schools, Courts and other Key Services.
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