The two main labour unions in Nigeria have declared an indefinite strike as of Monday over what they call a disagreement on a new minimum wage with the government.
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) both issued warnings on Friday that they would proceed with the strike should the government fail to heed their grievances over minimum wage requirements.
They had on Tuesday refused the minimum wage proposal by the government at 60,000 Naira. They had requested the government increase it further but all attempts were futile.
The Friday meeting was a no-show by the government representatives, a move that angered the two unions.
The two unions are also demanding the government stop the electricity tariff hike that was effected last month.
Electricity rates more than doubled for some consumers in April, while the government will save at least $788 million in subsidies this year, authorities have said.
It is the latest measure by President Bola Tinubu’s government to cut costs as Africa’s most populous country struggles with declining revenue due to dwindling investments and chronic oil theft.
The Federal Government has pleaded with organized labour to reconsider its decision to embark on the planned indefinite strike in protest against the government’s refusal to raise the proposed minimum wage from N60,000.
The interests of the masses should be the top priority of organized labour, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed, has appealed.
While describing the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress as partners in Project Nigeria, Mohammed noted that industrial action was not the solution to the ongoing negotiation for a new minimum wage for workers.
Last Tuesday, talks between the Federal Government and organised labour broke down after the government and the organized private sector raised their offer to N60,000.
The government added N3,000 to its initial offer of N57,000 proposed last week, taking the total figure to N60,000.
However, it was dismissed by labour at the meeting.