Nationwide strike looms as labour unions threaten walkout over failure to deliver new minimum wage

NIGERIA is facing the prospect of a nationwide strike next week after labour unions threatened to ask their members to down tools as from Monday over the federal government’s delay in implementing the a new national minimum wage.

In August, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) proposed a minimum wage of N56,000 ($154) a month but employers under the umbrella of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association rejected the proposal. Labour minister Dr Chris Ngige, has since been trying to get the 30-man Tripartite Committee that has the final say on the manner to reach an agreement.

Made up of state employers like governors, the committee was established by President Muhammadu Buhari to come up with a workable agreement to all parties. Frustrated with the lack of action, however, labour unions gave the government an ultimatum and yesterday reminded Nigerians that the 14-day ultimatum it issued expires on September 26.

Joe Ajaero, the president of the United Labour Congress (ULC), said that if the government failed to meet their demand on the expiration of the ultimatum, it would collaborate with other labour centres and civil society organisations to embark on a nationwide strike. He added that a new national minimum wage was desirable and possible, pointing out that the lack of patriotism, greed and corruption was the bane of a reasonable wage.

Mr Ajaero said: “We shall no longer be obliged by this time to give any further notice to the government before embarking on the action. By this communiqué, we order all our affiliates and state councils nationwide to move to the final level of alert in their preparation for the proposed nationwide strike.”

Already, the Central Working Committee of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria has empowered its national administrative council and its leadership to carry out all necessary actions in conjunction with other stakeholders to ensure the achievement of the minimum wage. However,. Dr Ngige has said that a September deadline was not possible to meet as the the Minimum Wage Tripartite Committee working on it would only complete its work this month and submit it recommendations to the government.