The Organised Labour also called on Nigerians to defend their interests amidst the government's failure to prioritise workers' welfare.
Members of the Organised Labour have announced plans to commence an indefinite strike starting Monday, June 3, 3034, over the federal government's failure to meet their demand for the new national minimum wage.
Speaking at a press conference at the Labour House in Abuja, on Friday, May 31, 2024, the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, stressed that the industrial action will last until there's an agreement on a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers.
The labour unions had earlier proposed ₦615,000 as the minimum wage but later adjusted it to ₦500,000 after the Federal Government also raised its own offer from ₦48,00 to ₦54,000.
On Tuesday, Ajaero announced that the government had further increased its offer to ₦60,000 but the proposal is still miles off what the unions might consider acceptable.
Dialogues between the government and labour had been on edge in the last couple of months as both parties struggled to find a middle ground on the matter.
Labour had issued an ultimatum of May 31 for the Federal Government to accede to its demand.
Labour asks Nigerians to stand up for their interest
On Friday, the NLC president said the strike action had become necessary as the Federal Government had failed to raise the minimum wage offer from ₦60,000.
He also called on Nigerians to stand up for their interest as the government has failed to prioritise the welfare of workers.
“If you could remember we had a National Executive Council meeting of the NLC as well as the TUC where we were further charged that the leadership should take charge and take all actions to call government to order at the expiration of the ultimatum.
“Today is May 31, 2024 and this night the ultimatum expires. So we hereby declare the commencement of a nationwide Industrial action effective from Monday June 3rd, 2024 and this strike shall be indefinite.
“The strike shall be on untill we have a new national minimum wage and until government is serious and the increase in electricity tariff is reversed. We are united on this and we believe this is the way forward,” Ajaero said.
