Labour suspends strike as FG flaunts higher minimum wage

Sopuruchi Onwuka

The Nigerian Organized Labour has suspended the crippling industrial actions it started Monday to press home its demands for enhaced minimum wage for workers in the formal sector.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) announced suspension of the strike after government made frantic efforts to arrest the situation which promptly grounded social and business activities in the country.

The suspension of the strike, The Oracle Today reports, came at the end of negotiations among the three parties involved in resolving the minimum wage saga.

According to resolutions reached at the meeting between the federal government and the Organised Labour held on Monday 3rd June, 2024; “The Federal Government, in the National interest, convened a meeting with Labour held in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, on Monday 3rd June, with a view to ending the strike action.

“After exhaustive deliberation and engagement by both parties, the following resolutions were reached:

“The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria is committed to a National Minimum Wage that is higher than N60,000;

“Arising from the above, the Tripartite Committee is to meet everyday for the next one week with a view to arriving at an agreeable National Minimum Wage;

“Labour in deference to the high esteem of the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria’s commitment in (ii) above undertakes to convene a meeting of its organs immediately to consider this commitment.”

The resolution added “No worker would be victimized as a result of the industrial action.”

The resolution is signed for the Federal Government of Nigeria by Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation; and Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of State for Labour and Employment.

For the Organised Labour, Joe Ajaero, President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC); and Festus Osifo, President, Trade Union Congress (TUC); also signed the document.

President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Festus Osifo, announced suspension of the strike in Abuja after a joint extraordinary national executive council meeting of the unions.

There were strong indications early Tuesday that leaders of the Organized Labour might end the crippling strike over minimum wage as the federal government struggled to pacify and persuade the workers with higher wage offer.

The government’s meeting with labour leaders came as more affiliates joined in the protest yesterday, shuttering airports, power grid systems and university classrooms.

Indications of a possible call off follow moves by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and its sister Trade Union Congress (TUC) reach an agreement acceptable to all parties

The labour groups had embarked on strike, Monday, over failure of government to meets it’s demands for a raise in the National Minimum Wage pegged at N500, 000. Government had responded to the demand with an offer of N60,000 which the labour leaders instantly turned and declared strike.

As at Monday, affiliate members of the trade unions, including university lecturers, aviation, electricity and bank workers had downed tools as the country was hit by fair flight disruptions, blackouts, just as public schools were shut.

Meanwhile, the labour unions have also confirmed, Monday, that President Bola Tinubu is committed to a minimum wage above N60,000.

According to statement made available to the media, the labour unions have agreed to convene a meeting of its organs immediately to consider the government commitment in other to call off the strike.

The situation went bad after negotiation by the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage (NMW) went foul labour leaders and subsequent withdrew from negotiation.

In trying to arrest the situation which has grounded business and social activities in the country, “the Federal Government, in the National interest, convened a meeting with Labour held in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, on Monday 3rd June, with a view to ending the strike action.

“After exhaustive deliberation and engagement by both parties, the following resolutions were reached that the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria is committed to a National Minimum Wage that is higher than N60,000;

“Arising from the above, the Tripartite Committee is to meet every day for the next one week with a view to arriving at an agreeable National Minimum Wage.  Labour in deference to the high esteem of the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria’s commitment in (ii) above undertakes to convene a meeting of its organs immediately to consider this commitment; and

“No worker would be victimized as a result of the industrial action,” the statement read.

The Oracle Today reports that thousands of travelers were stranded at airports across the country on Monday following as many unions including power sector and aviation workers embarked on strike.

Fears went wild with the apprehension that blue jacket oil workers who control fuel distribution in the country might also abandon retail sites.

And with banks, airports and power stations shutting down,   fuel scarcity would simply complete a cycle that would certainly grind economic and social activities to a halt.

As at this morning, government has agreed to raise its minimum wage offer from previous N60,000 to about N100,000 according to people close to the negotiating committee, but no amount is certain until it is approved by the President upon recommendation by the NMW committee.