The Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have called out Nigerian workers on a nation-wide indefinite strike, beginning from tomorrow,Thursday, in protest against the failure of the government to reach agreement with them on the $139 new minimum wage for workers.
The Union leaders, at a joint news conference in Abuja today, Wednesday, said that the nationwide strike will begin at midnight of today, Wednesday..
President of the Ayuba Wabba, who spoke at the news briefing said: “in compliance with this mandate, all workers and private sector at all levels across the country have been directed to comply.
“All public and private institutions, offices, banks, schools, public and private business premises including filling station are to remain shut till further notice.”
This was even as the TUC called on its 24 affiliate groups to proceed with the strike, in what may mean a total shutdown of the economy: banks, schools, oil exploration, and transportation.
The NLC, for its part, has 40 affiliate unions and 37 state councils across public and private sectors of the economy.
The strike is coming a few weeks after the workers’ bodies gave Abuja an ultimatum to seal agreements that would see the current $50 minimum wage increased by nearly 150 percent — over five years after it came into effect.
Calls for a pay raise have elicited mixed reactions in Nigeria. Most state governors and federalists have insisted that the demand was unrealistic, as many states are unable to pay the current $50 minimum wage, citing lack of funds.
Shortly after President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office in 2015, re-negotiations for a new national minimum wage were brought to the table.
The agitation led to the establishment of a tripartite committee involving representatives from the government, labor unions, and private sector.
However, the committee has suddenly suspended the talks at the behest of the government, triggering the latest anger within the labor movement.
