The Organised Labour comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has proposed to commence a nationwide strike today to press for a proportionate increase in the national minimum wage commensurate with the country’s prevailing economic situation.
If the strike commences today, there are indications that the country may be thrown into darkness.
Already, various affiliates of the two labour centres have indicated an interest in joining the indefinite industrial action with the mobilisation of their members.
Among the unions that have moblised their members are the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Nigeria Union of Railway Workers, National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), as well as a host of others.
It would be recalled that the Organised Labour had on Friday, May 31, after the meeting with the Federal Government team under the Tripartite Committee on the New National Minimum Wage hit a brick wall, and declared an indefinite strike.
The Organised Labour had walked out of the meeting when the Federal Government team led by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, maintained the N60,000 offer from the government and the Organised Private Sector (OPS).
The Labour had in their meeting with the government on Tuesday reduced their demand, which started at N615,000 to N484,000.
After the President of the TUC, Festus Osifo, read the jointly prepared text where they gave reason for the strike, NLC President, Joe Ajaero, when asked whether the labour would call for the strike if invited by the government and offered something higher, said, “Government can only call for a continuation of the negotiation, not by an award. They can’t say come we are giving you this. We have to sit down and negotiate from where we are today.
“It’s like calling us tomorrow to say, let us continue with the negotiation, now we’ll negotiate from there, but not to call us to say we’re giving you N10 or N20; that will be out of the concept of negotiation.
“Calling us doesn’t mean agreement. Until we sign an agreement on what is mutually agreeable by the parties, action will be on, but action is not such that we will not equally negotiate, because the two parties are now going to negotiate under duress. We are under pressure that is the meaning of this. So, the earlier we resolve it, the better for us.”
Asked whether there is mobilisation at the state level, Ajaero said, “When you hear the National Executive Council of any labour centre, it comprises all the states and all the unions, so that is the situation, and that is where we got this mandate.
“And you equally witnessed it on May Day when all workers gathered nationwide when this pronouncement was made. It was a public one; it’s not like there were two or three people, it is mass-based.
“And as of today, there is no minimum wage for Nigerian workers technically by the expiration of the act on 18th of April, so as of now, we’re operating without any law backing up the minimum wage.’’
The NLC president added, “They were talking about a 100 per cent increase; that is what they have offered, but the 100 per cent increase amounts to one loaf of bread per day for 30 days. That’s what it amounts to. They are not looking at the quality or the value of what they are offering to us.
“And those are the issues that we’re looking at, and all of us must address because it’s tight. There’s nobody that can move on with this arrangement, and it is being done with inflation, devaluation, and everything open.
“So if we take even the N600 we are proposing today, by next week, it will not make any impact. So, we have to look at them holistically and see what we can do to save the working class in Nigeria.
“We’re not doing a strike that will be one month without a bite. I’m not sure where you have labour centres in a country embarking on a strike for one month, and you don’t listen to them.
“So, what we will be praying for, for the people who are suffering so much and those are some of our people. That was why we were reluctant. That was why we were virtually telling them, let’s find a solution.
Ajaero added, “When we were in the meeting today, we told them we have to be here and allow you to go and get a mandate. We’re ready to sleep here to allow you to get a mandate to come back to this meeting.
“They said, no, we should just allow them whenever they get a mandate; that it is difficult to even see the president that they don’t have access to and all that.
“Then they didn’t come out with anything, we found ourselves in a helpless situation. So, that is where we are now. Everybody should be patient with us.”
In its efforts to mobilise members, the NLC, in a circular to all state councils, said, “This is to inform you of the commencement of the proposed indefinite nationwide strike beginning Monday the 3rd day of June 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. Stop the apartheid categorisation of Nigerian electricity consumers into bands.”
The NLC boss added, “We kindly request all State Councils to mobilise all their affiliates and members across the states to stay away from work commencing midnight, this Sunday, to ensure a comprehensive closure of all workplaces.
“Please set up Joint Action Committees with the Trade Union Congress in your state for effective coordination of the strike action.
“We would be glad to receive continuous updates on your effort. Do remember that the success of this action is dependent on our collective determination and resolve.”
The mobilisation of the electricity workers and employees is an indication that the country may be thrown into darkness. Besides, there may be a scarcity of petrol because the NUPENG has directed its members to comply with the directive from the NLC and TUC.
Also of great concern is the participation of workers in the banking and insurance sector, as well as the universities.
However, the government believes that the strike will be of no interest to the country.
Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejoecha, said the decision by the NLC TUC to declare a nationwide strike is not in the best interest of the country and its people.
Consequently, the Minister has cautioned that declaring a strike in the middle of ongoing negotiations would not only compound the economic woes but also exacerbate the suffering of millions of Nigerians who are already struggling to eke out a living from their daily endeavours.
In a statement issued by her Special Adviser on Media, Emameh Gabriel, Onyejeocha said the “government has consistently demonstrated commitment and goodwill throughout the negotiations with Organised Labour.”
She explained that the government’s proposals were carefully crafted, taking into account the country’s economic realities and incorporating innovative solutions.
The proposals, she said, include a comprehensive package featuring a wage increase to N60,000 for federal workers, the introduction of CNG-fueled buses, and enhanced financial access for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Additionally, the government has pledged investments in strategic sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, education, healthcare, and many others that are already in the pipeline.
The minister warned that any new minimum wage must not lead to widespread job losses, particularly in the Organised Private Sector, which employs the bulk of the nation’s workforce.
According to her, “This sector is crucial to the country’s economic growth and stability. The government’s stance is rooted in a deep understanding of the negotiations, demonstrating its dedication to finding a balance between the needs of workers and the economic realities of the country.
“The goal is to establish a minimum wage that is not only realistic but also sustainable, avoiding any potentially detrimental consequences for the economy.’’
The minister added, “By adopting this approach, the government aims to safeguard the interests of both workers and employers, ensuring that any agreement reached is mutually beneficial and does not jeopardise the country’s economic progress.
‘’This balanced stance is crucial for maintaining harmony in the workforce and driving national growth.”
Onyejeocha expressed disappointment that in a surprising turn of events, organised labour abruptly exited the negotiations on Friday, despite the government’s flexibility in rescheduling the meeting from Monday to Friday, May 31st, to accelerate the talks.
She said, “Labour unions remained adamant in their demand for a staggering 1,547 per cent wage increase, after the government’s proposed 100 per cent increase, accompanied by various incentives for workers. It is widely acknowledged that the labour unions’ demands are unrealistic, given the country’s current economic position.
‘’The government takes into account the nation’s fiscal constraints and the need for sustainable economic growth. In contrast, labour’s demands seem disconnected from the economic realities, potentially jeopardising the very gains they seek to achieve.
“The government’s willingness to engage in dialogue and its demonstrated flexibility in the negotiations underscore its commitment to finding a mutually beneficial solution. However, labour’s inflexibility and unrealistic expectations may hinder the progress made thus far, ultimately harming the workers they represent and the nation as a whole.”
*Meeting with NASS, ministers deadlocked as Akpabio warns N494k salary may worsen unemployment
A four-hour closed-door tripartite meeting between the leadership of the National Assembly, Representatives of the Federal Government, and the organised labour unions ended in a deadlock in Abuja.
The meeting was summoned by the principal officers of the federal parliament to avert the strike called by the labour unions over the national minimum wage and the hike in the electricity tariff.
The National Assembly initiated the mediation meeting to prevent the nationwide shutdown by the Labour, but the meeting ended in Abuja a few minutes ago without an agreement.
The parley, however, failed to achieve the desired objective as the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress after the meeting remained adamant and insisted that the strike would continue while negotiations with the Federal Government resumes.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said efforts by the federal parliament’s leadership to convince the labour unions to suspend the strike had failed.
He noted with concern that the Organised Labours actions would paralyse the economy and bring more hardship to Nigerians.
Akpabio said, “We also know that it’s not just a question of strike, the hospitals will be closed and most poor people will die.
“Those who are even on oxygen will die. Those in need of medical services will die. Goods and services will not move freely and productivity will reduce drastically.
“The living standard of Nigerians will also be impaired. Hence, in the last four hours, we have been making appeals, and we are still appealing to the leadership of the NLC and the TUC to quickly return to the negotiating table with the government.
“This is to find a lasting solution to this minimum wage issue. So we thank you. Without going into more details, I believe we’ve had a very positive meeting. We’ve heard from both sides and we are happy and satisfied that actions will be taken on both sides.
“I appeal that the strike be suspended and negotiations commence in the interest of the Nigerian economy and the interest of all Nigerian students.”
During the meeting, Akpabio expressed fears that the demand for N494,000 national minimum wage by the Organised Labour could worsen unemployment and might force many private companies to retrench their workers, if implemented.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas said the meeting agreed to prevail on the Federal Government to review the N35,000 payment to the Nigerian workers while negotiations on the minimum wage continue.
Speaking on behalf of the organised labour, the President of the Trade Union Congress, Festus Osifo said the strike would not be called off until the various organs of the unions were fully briefed.
Osifo said, “Yes, we’ve had a conversation, we’ve had a meeting, and the issues were laid bare on the part of the government. We also laid out what the issues are. And there was an appeal from the Senate President for us to call off the industrial action tonight. But on our path, we said that we have had him.
“It is not possible for us to sit here and call off any industrial action because there are conditions precedents given to us by our National Executive Council.
“As at the last meeting, we were very close to signing off, I mean close in the sense that if the figures were right, it’s just to prepare the papers and sign, so it’s not something that is that lengthy anymore.
“We have listened to them, we would take all their plea to our organs, and we would have an organ meeting taking what they have promised and the pleas that they have made to our organs.
“For now, we don’t have the powers to call off the industrial action, so the industrial action will continue while we have a conversation with our respective organs as soon as possible to lay bare what they have put forward and what they have proposed.”
Also addressing journalists, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammad Idris, said the strike would worsen the hardship currently being experienced by Nigerians.
He wondered why the organised labour refused the option of collecting the N35,000 wage award pending the conclusion of the minimum wage negotiation.
The Minister said, “You remember that when we signed the agreement with Labour in October of last year, it was agreed that until the new wage regime comes into being, wage award of 35,000 for federally paid workers will continue.
“That is the position of the government. The federal government will continue to pay its workers the wage award that was started last year until a new wage regime is instituted. Now to make further comments about what has transpired today.
“You know that we’ve been indoors here with leadership of both the NLC, the Trade Union Congress, and their affiliate bodies to find a common ground so that labour will not go on strike as they wanted to do tomorrow.
“Strike is not an option at this point. And we believe that the organised labour will see reason with the federal government, the National Assembly, and everybody to call off the strike in the interest of Nigeria.
“We know that they had given this warning. Of course, it was a surprise to us that on Friday this came about, but notwithstanding, we have continued to engage labour.
“We want to appeal to them once again, like the Senate president said. And we know, and we do believe that they will see words of reasoning from the leadership of the National Assembly.
“They can’t come to the National Assembly and say, you know, they will not listen to the leadership. If they are having problems with the executive, the Senate President has said that he is going to wage in, he is going to talk to the President.
“The entire leadership of the National Assembly will talk to the President when the present situation of the agreed amount by the Federal Government and the state governments and the organised private sector to pay 60,000.
“They will come back to the federal government and in turn, we expect that labour will see reason and call of the strike.
“We said earlier that paying this amount that labor has asked for is like paying a cumulative of N9.5trn to only 1.2 million Nigerians.
“It’s a country of over 200 million people and others also deserve other services of government. We have roads to fix, we have hospitals to build, we have an education system to fix.
“The federal government is very sensitive to the demand of labour, but we also call on labour to see reason, to see reason and toe the part of the federal government. We know that they are going to heed the call that the leadership of the National Assembly has made to them.
“We do believe and we sincerely hope that no one, no one is interested in having a strike, an industrial action at this point.”
Also in attendance is the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; Head of Federal Civil Service, Folashade Yemi-Esan; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun: and Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu.
Others are, Minister of Labour and Productivity, Nkiruruka Onyejeocha; Information Ministry, Muhammad Idris, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi
Also in attendance were the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, and other principal officers of the Senate and House of Representatives.
*Senate c’ttee chair on finance, Musa, asks Labour to suspend industrial action
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Sani Musa, has called on the Organised Labour to suspend the strike to give room for further negotiations.
In a statement issued yesterday, Musa said, “The ongoing negotiations are a testament to the government’s willingness to engage in dialogue and find sustainable solutions that will benefit all stakeholders.
“We recognise that the process has been arduous and, at times, fraught with frustrations. However, I urge you to consider the potential disruptions and setbacks that a strike could inflict on our collective efforts to move the nation forward.
“In light of this, I humbly appeal to the leadership of the NLC and TUC to suspend the declared strike action. Let us explore every possible avenue for dialogue and negotiation to reach a mutually beneficial agreement. The progress of our nation hinges on our ability to work together, especially during these critical times.
“By postponing the strike, we allow room for continued negotiations, demonstrating our collective commitment to the wellbeing of the Nigerian workforce and the prosperity of our nation. We remain hopeful that through constructive dialogue, we can address and resolve the issues at hand in a manner that honours the interests of all parties involved.”
*JUSUN orders closure of courts, and judicial institutions nationwide
Meanwhile, following a declaration of industrial action by the NLC and TUC, beginning today, the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has mobilised its members ahead of the strike.
A statement from JUSUN indicated that the action will start nationwide at midnight Sunday.
In the statement sighted by ThisNigeria, the Union cited the government’s inability to conclude the negotiation of national minimum wage and refusal to reverse the increase in electricity tariff as reasons for the fresh order.
Dated 1st June 2024 and signed by its Acting Secretary, M J Akwashiki, the directive reads, “I am directed to inform you to commence mobilisation ahead of the action.
“All branches/chapter chairmen and secretary of JUSUN are expected to ensure strict compliance to this directive.
“All Vice Presidents of our great Unions are to monitor their respective zones to ensure compliance with the total shutdown of all courts and judicial institutes across Nigeria.”
