By Asuquo Cletus Felix
The Nigerian Labour Congress has announced an indefinite strike, over what it’s described as a disappointment over the federal government failure to conclude and pass into law the new national minimum wage act, and reverse the vexatious hike in the electricity tariff to N65/kWh.
Labour’s position was contained in a press release signed by comrade Joe Ajaero Esq, issued on Friday titled “Commencement of an indefinite Nationwide strike, over inconclusive national minimum wage negotiation and refusal to reverse the hike in electricity tariff”.
It also noted that despite a series of negotiations, the Friday meeting between the government and labour further demonstrated the unseriousness and apparent “contempt” with which the Nigerian state holds the demands of Nigerian workers and people.
Ajaero said the strike would begin by midnight on Sunday, June 2, 2024. He also said that during the last May Day celebration on May 1, 2024, organized labour had issued an ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the conclusion of the minimum wage negotiation by the end of the month.
He further said it was disheartening that despite the repeated calls and the clear ultimatum issued, the government continues to reject its duties to the workforce.
Ajaero also said the government, rather than engage in a positive dialogue, continuously raised “its attack dogs” to seek to denigrate and intimidate trade union leaders.
“No governor was present and ministers absent except the Minister of State for Labour and Employment who doubles as a conciliator. There was none present on the side of the government with the appropriate authority to commit them to any outcome; in essence, the government abandoned the meeting. We consider this disdainful and shows a lack of commitment to a successful National Minimum Wage negotiation exercise.
“However, there has been no significant progress or commitment from the government towards meeting this demand.
“We also demanded a reversal of the last hike in electricity tariff to N225/kwh back to N65/kWh and stoppage of the apartheid categorization of consumers into Bands. We carried out a nationwide one-day protest on the 13th day of May 2024 giving the government until the last day of this month to take action but the government has not entirely shown any positive response despite the national outrage at this insensitive hike.
“Nigerian workers, who are the backbone of our nation’s economy, deserve fair and decent wages that reflect the current economic realities.”
Ajaero also vowed not to bow to any pressure, until all necessary steps are taken to ensure that their rights are protected and their voices heard.
“In light of this persistent inaction, we, the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress hereby issue a notice of commencement of an indefinite nationwide strike to the Federal Government.
“We reiterate that since the National Minimum Wage negotiation exercise has not been concluded and the agreed wage passed into law; the hike in electricity tariff not reversed and categorization of consumers into Bands not stopped as demanded; Nigerian workers are compelled by these failures to embark on an indefinite nationwide industrial action beginning on Monday, the 3rd of June, 2024 to press home our demands.
“The NLC and TUC are united in this cause, and we call on all our affiliates and state councils, Civil Society Organisations, market men and women and the general populace to prepare for a decisive action. We cannot and will not accept any further delays or excuses. The welfare of Nigerian workers and people is non-negotiable, and we are ready to take all necessary steps to ensure that their rights are protected and their voices heard.”
