By Fiona Nanna, ForeMedia News UK

Monday, June 3, 2024

11:00pm

Several unions have shut down their workplaces in compliance with directives from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike.

On Friday, the organized labor announced the strike in response to the Federal Government’s refusal to increase the proposed minimum wage from N60,000.

According to NLC President Joe Ajaero, the strike commenced at midnight on Sunday, June 2, 2024.

In a joint statement, Ajaero and TUC President Festus Osifo expressed deep concern and disappointment over the Federal Government’s failure to finalize and pass a new National Minimum Wage Act. They also demanded a reversal of the electricity tariff increase to N65/kWh.

The unions had set an ultimatum of May 31, 2024, for negotiations on the new minimum wage. However, talks broke down on Tuesday after the government increased its initial offer from N57,000 to N60,000, which labor rejected.

During negotiations, labor also reduced their demand from N497,000 to N494,000 by removing N3,000.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) President Emmanuel Osodeke, in a statement on Monday, directed lecturers in universities nationwide to join the strike as an affiliate of the NLC.

The statement read, “The NLC has declared an indefinite strike action beginning from Monday, June 3, 2024, due to the government’s failure to conclude the renegotiation of the minimum wage for Nigerian workers and reverse the hike in electricity tariff.”

On Sunday, aviation unions directed their members to withdraw services across all Nigerian airports. These unions include the National Union of Air Transport Employees, the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals, and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers.

The unions announced, “In compliance with directives from the NLC and TUC, we hereby inform the general public, aviation service providers, airline operators, aviation businesses, and all aviation workers nationwide that starting from 0000hrs of June 3, 2024, all services at all Nigerian airports shall be fully withdrawn until further notice.”

This decision followed an emergency meeting held on Sunday.