Several unions across Nigeria have shut their workplaces in compliance with the directive from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike.
This strike, announced on Friday, is a response to the Federal Government’s refusal to raise the proposed minimum wage from N60,000.
Joe Ajaero, President of the NLC, confirmed that the strike would begin at midnight on Sunday, June 2, 2024. Alongside his TUC counterpart, Festus Osifo, Ajaero expressed serious concerns and disappointment over the government’s failure to finalize and pass a new National Minimum Wage Act into law. They also demanded the reversal of the electricity tariff increase to N65/kWh.
The unions had previously set an ultimatum of May 31, 2024, for negotiations on the new minimum wage. However, talks broke down on Tuesday after both parties presented their offers. The government’s proposal to increase the minimum wage to N60,000 was rejected by labour, which had revised its demand from N497,000 to N494,000.
In solidarity with the NLC, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has directed its members to join the strike. Emmanuel Osodeke, President of ASUU, issued a statement on Monday urging lecturers to participate.
The aviation sector is also heavily impacted, with unions including 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 withdrawing their services across all Nigerian airports starting from 0000hrs on June 3, 2024.
Following an emergency meeting on Sunday, these unions confirmed their participation in the strike, which is expected to disrupt aviation services significantly.
The following unions have joined the strike:
1. Academic Staff Union of Universities
2. Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria
3. National Union of Electricity Employees
4. National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees
5. Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria
6. Joint Union Action Committee
7. Nigeria Union of Teachers
8. National Associations of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives
9. Joint Health Sector Unions
10. Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees
11. National Union of Civil Engineering, Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers
12. Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria
13. National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas
14. Nigeria Union of Railway Workers
15. Nigeria Civil Service Union
16. Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals
17. Academic Staff Union of Colleges of Agriculture
18. Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities
19. Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies
20. Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria
21. Nigerian Union of Journalists
22. Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnic
23. National Union of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employees
24. Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees
25. Iron and Steel Senior Staff Association of Nigeria
26. National Union of Air Transport Employees
27. Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria
28. National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers
29. National Union of Postal and Telecommunication Employees
30. Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria
31. Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions
This widespread industrial action highlights the deepening dissatisfaction among Nigerian workers over wage negotiations and living conditions, with significant implications for various sectors across the nation.
