Starting today, fuel distribution, healthcare, banking, and other essential services nationwide will be halted as organized labor commences an indefinite strike over minimum wage issues and recent electricity tariff hikes.
In response, the Federal Government yesterday warned the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) that the proposed strike is premature and illegal.
Despite a marathon meeting with key government officials including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, and Finance Minister Wale Edun, efforts to stop the strike failed.
The meeting involved NLC President Joe Ajaero and TUC counterpart Festus Osifo.
The Trade Union Congress has directed senior staff associations, including the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI), and the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), to ensure full compliance.
Affiliates of the Nigeria Labour Congress, such as the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), and the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE), have also directed their members to comply fully with the strike.
The labor centers announced the indefinite strike last Friday due to the government’s failure to finalize a new national minimum wage and reverse the electricity tariff hike.
On Workers’ Day, NLC and TUC leaders gave the Federal Government a May 31 deadline to conclude minimum wage negotiations or face nationwide industrial action.
The tripartite committee on the new minimum wage failed to reach an agreement after multiple meetings, leading labor leaders to walk out of the discussions several times. The last walkout occurred on Friday, coinciding with the deadline for concluding a new minimum wage agreement, as the previous N30,000 minimum wage law expired on April 18, 2024.
Negotiations stalled when the government and organized private sector refused to offer more than N60,000, leading labor representatives to walk out of meetings on May 28 and May 15 after rejecting previous offers.
In preparation for today’s strike, the TUC has reiterated its directive for full participation from PENGASSAN, ASSBIFI, ASCSN, and other senior staff associations.
