NLC, TUC, Aviation, Oil & Gas, Electricity Workers Unite for Indefinite Strike
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have directed their members to embark on an indefinite nationwide industrial action starting from midnight on Sunday, June 2, 2024. The labour unions are demanding a national minimum wage of N494,000, which the federal government has described as unsustainable.
Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejoecha, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, warned that the proposed wage would amount to N9.5 trillion, destabilizing the economy and jeopardizing the welfare of over 200 million Nigerians. She urged the unions to reconsider their decision and continue engaging in constructive dialogue to find a solution that benefits all.
Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, also stated that the federal government’s offer of N60,000 minimum wage, which translates to a 100 per cent increase on the existing minimum wage of 2019, had been accepted by the organised private sector. He noted that the N494,000 national minimum wage being demanded by the organised labour would cumulatively amount to N9.5 trillion, which is capable of destabilising the economy and jeopardising the welfare of over 200 million Nigerians.
The Organised Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN), comprising the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), National Association of Small Scale Industries (NASME), and National Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), has described the call for strike as ill-timed and ill-advised.
Mr. Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, Director-General of the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), noted that the call for an indefinite strike was ill-advised, as the tripartite committee had not completed its proceedings. He advised that any member of the committee could make an independent recommendation, which would be considered by the National Assembly before passing the new national minimum wage bill.
Meanwhile, electricity, oil, maritime, and judicial workers have mobilized their members for the industrial action. The Acting General Secretary of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Mr. Dominic Igwebike, confirmed that the electricity workers were mobilising for action following the directive of NLC and TUC. Junior oil workers under the aegis of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) have also directed its members to comply with the directive of the two labour centres to begin an indefinite nationwide strike on Monday.
The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has commenced mobilisation and sensitisation of its members for a total and comprehensive industrial action. The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has also directed its members to comply with the directive of both the NLC and the TUC.
In addition, construction workers have given the federal government a 21-day ultimatum to resolve conflicts in the sector or face nationwide industrial action. The workers under the umbrella of the Construction and Civil Engineering Senior Staff Association (CCESSA) and National Union of Civil Engineering Construction Furniture and Wood Workers (NUCECFWW) lamented the slowdown of business in the industry occasioned by the new policy of the government.
The two unions, which are affiliates of TUC and the Nigeria NLC, said 52,000 workers were already losing their jobs while 32,000 others may be forced into the labour market if nothing is done by the federal government to resolve the issues.
The Director-General of the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Ajayi Kadri, has thrown his weight behind the federal government on the N60,000 minimum wage proposal, which was rejected by the labour unions. He explained that the economic environment has been challenging for both labour and private businesses, making it nearly impossible for them to pay the wage the labour union is demanding.
