The planned nationwide strike by organised labour kicks off Monday as scheduled after the last-minute meeting between the leadership of the National Assembly, federal government and labour unions ended in a deadlock.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC)last week Friday declared an indefinite strike commencing from Monday, June 3, 2024, after its negotiations with the federal government on a new minimum wage ended in a deadlock.
In a last-ditch effort to avert the strike, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives held a meeting with the organized labour and other top government officials at the National Assembly complex on Sunday evening. However, after the meeting which lasted for about four hours behind closed doors, Festus Osifo, the TUC president told journalists that the strike would continue as planned as the leadership of the labour unions in attendance cannot take a decision until it consults with other executive members and organs
However, the labour leaders, including TUC President Festus Osifo, stated that they lacked the power to call off the strike and that any decision would need to be discussed with their organs. Osifo expressed disappointment that the government was still not ready to sign off a living wage for Nigerian workers, despite the appeals made to labour not to cripple the economy.
The National Assembly, in its efforts to avert the strike, urged labour to consider the potential collateral damage of industrial action, which may lead to massive job losses. The Senate President appealed to labour to call off the strike, noting that it would be difficult to negotiate with the government during the strike. The Speaker of the House of Representatives also urged labour to quickly consult with their members on the need to call off the strike in the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.
Despite these appeals, the labour unions have decided to proceed with the strike, citing the government’s failure to conclude and pass a new National Minimum Wage Act into law and reverse the electricity tariff hike. The strike is expected to commence on Monday, June 3, 2024