Labour Push for Nationwide Strike Over Minimum Wage and Electricity Tariff Hike.
Less than 24 hours before the start of a nationwide strike, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed its state councils to ensure full compliance. This strike, in collaboration with the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), is set to commence in protest of the government’s failure to agree on a new national minimum wage and the recent hike in electricity tariffs.
The NLC and TUC had previously announced an indefinite nationwide strike starting on Monday, June 3, 2024. This decision follows the government’s inability to conclude negotiations on a new national minimum wage by the May 31 deadline set by the unions. The old minimum wage of N30,000, signed into law by former President Muhammad Buhari on April 18, 2019, expired on April 18, 2024.
Unresolved Negotiations
The tripartite committee on the new National Minimum Wage failed to reach a consensus after several meetings. Labour leaders walked out of these meetings three times, rejecting the government and the Organised Private Sector’s (OPS) offers. The last walkout occurred on May 31, the deadline day, when the government and OPS remained firm on their N60,000 offer, which labour leaders found insufficient.
NLC’s Directive to State Councils
In a circular to its state councils, NLC General Secretary Emmanuel Ugboaja instructed full mobilization for the strike:
“This is to inform you of the commencement of the proposed indefinite nationwide strike beginning on Monday, June 3, 2024, as a result of the failure of the Nigerian state to agree on a new national minimum wage and subsequently pass it into law before the end of this month as they were notified; Reverse the hike in electricity tariff without consulting the stakeholders as required by the law to N225/kWh back to N66/kWh and Stop the apartheid categorization of Nigerian electricity consumers into Bands.”
He urged state councils to set up joint action committees with the TUC for effective coordination of the strike action and to ensure comprehensive workplace closures starting midnight on Sunday.
Labour’s Standpoint
NLC President Joe Ajaero emphasized that the government must continue negotiations rather than make unilateral decisions: “Calling us does not mean agreement. Until we sign an agreement on what is mutually agreeable by the parties, action will be on.”
Ajaero also pointed out the urgency of the situation, noting that the absence of a legal minimum wage since April 18 has left workers without financial protection amidst inflation and devaluation.
Sector-Wide Mobilization
Critical sector unions, including the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), and the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE), have pledged full support for the strike.
NUPENG: General Secretary Afolabi Olawale confirmed their commitment: “This is to notify all our members and branches in all oil and gas installations, operations and services including distribution and marketing of petroleum products, that our great union is fully committed to ensuring total compliance with the directive of the Nigerian Labour Congress.”
NUBIFIE: President Abakpa Sheikh directed members to mobilize for effective participation: “The import of the strike is to compel the federal government to agree on a new national minimum wage and subsequently pass it into law before the end of this month as they were notified, reverse the hike in electricity tariff without consulting the stakeholders as required by the law to N225/kWh back to N66/kWh and stop the apartheid categorization of Nigerian electricity into Bands.”
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NUEE: Acting General Dominic Igwebike called for full compliance: “Given the above, all National, State, and Chapter executives are requested to start the mobilization of our members in total compliance with this directive to ensure the Government does the right thing as stated above.”
MWUN: President-General Prince Adewale Adeyanju emphasized the strike’s necessity: “The indefinite nationwide strike has become very imperative, given the failure of the federal government on the logjam and the inconclusive national minimum wage negotiation and refusal to reverse the hard biting hike in electricity tariff.”
Conclusion
With broad support from various critical sectors and strong directives from union leaders, the planned nationwide strike is poised to significantly impact Nigeria. The unions demand urgent government action to address their grievances over the national minimum wage and electricity tariff hike, aiming to alleviate the financial burden on Nigerian workers amidst the current economic challenges.
