Several unions have shut down their workplaces to comply with the directive from the two major labour unions to begin an indefinite nationwide strike.
On Friday, organized labour announced the commencement of the strike due to the Federal Government’s refusal to raise the proposed minimum wage from ₦60,000.
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, stated that the strike would start at midnight on Sunday, June 2, 2024.
In a joint statement delivered by Ajaero and his Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Festus Osifo, they expressed serious concerns and disappointment over the Federal Government’s failure to finalize and pass a new National Minimum Wage Act into law. They also demanded that the government reverse the increase in the electricity tariff to ₦65/kWh.
Both unions had previously set a deadline of May 31, 2024, for negotiations on the new minimum wage.
However, discussions between organized labour and the Federal Government broke down on Tuesday after both parties presented their offers. The government increased its initial offer from ₦57,000 to ₦60,000, which was rejected by labour during the meeting.
During the negotiations, labour also lowered their demand from last week’s proposal of ₦497,000 by removing ₦3,000, bringing their new proposal to ₦494,000.
In a statement addressed to the branch chairpersons and zonal coordinators of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Monday, the association’s President, Emmanuel Osodeke, directed lecturers in universities across the country to join the strike as an affiliate of the congress.
The statement read, “The NLC has declared an indefinite strike action beginning from Monday, 3rd June 2024, as a result of the failure of Government to conclude the renegotiation of minimum wage for Nigerian workers and reversal of hike in electricity tariff.
On Sunday, aviation unions instructed their members to withdraw services across all Nigerian airports. The unions involved are 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.
In a statement, the unions said, “In compliance with the directive from the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria—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 till further notice.”
Report state that this decision was made after an emergency meeting held on Sunday.
Below are the unions that have joined the strike:
1. The Academic Staff Union of Universities.
2. Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria.
3. The National Union of Electricity Employees.
4. National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees.