The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have announced an indefinite nationwide strike on Monday, June 3rd, 2024. The declaration comes in response to the tripartite committee’s failure to agree on a new minimum wage and the recent hike in electricity tariffs. This decision was revealed during a joint press conference held by the NLC and TUC leadership in Abuja on Friday.

TUC President Festus Osifo announced the strike, citing the Federal Government’s inability to finalize negotiations for a new minimum wage by the end of May as the primary reason for the industrial action.

“In light of this persistent inaction, we, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), hereby issue a notice of commencement of an indefinite nationwide strike to the Federal Government,” Osifo stated.

He emphasized that the ongoing negotiations for a national minimum wage had not been concluded, and the agreed wage had not been passed into law. Furthermore, the recent hike in electricity tariffs and the contentious categorization of consumers into Bands had not been reversed, as demanded by the unions. “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,” Osifo declared.

The organized labour unions had previously withdrawn from negotiations and rejected two offers from the Federal Government, the latest being a proposed minimum wage of N60,000. They remain steadfast in their demand for a minimum wage of N497,000. The call for a higher minimum wage has intensified following the removal of the fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira, which has significantly increased the cost of living in Nigeria.

In response to these economic pressures, labour leaders have proposed several measures to mitigate the impact of subsidy removal, including a new minimum wage and alternative modes of transportation. Despite these efforts, the government-established committee, which includes labour leaders, government officials, and representatives from the organized private sector, has failed to reach a consensus.

The impending strike signifies the escalating tensions between the labour unions and the Federal Government.