Minimum Wage Dispute: FG Reacts As Nationwide Strike Begins Monday

The Federal Government has urged Organised Labour to reconsider its plan to go on an indefinite strike starting Monday, June 3, 2024, in protest of the government’s failure to raise the recommended minimum salary from N60,000.

According to the report, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Joe Ajaero, alongside Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart Festus Osifo, expressed disappointment over the Federal Government’s failure to conclude and pass a new National Minimum Wage Act and reverse the increase in electricity tariff to N65/kWh.

Ajaero stated that the Friday meeting between the government and Labour revealed a lack of sincerity and contempt for the aspirations of Nigerian workers and citizens.

However, in an interview with PUNCH, Minister of Information and National Orientation Idris Mohammed emphasized that the interests of the masses should be the primary concern of organised labour. He urged Labour to call off its scheduled strike, noting that a tripartite committee was formed to establish common ground.

Mohammed said, “The government is pleading with Labour to reconsider its position. The FG has already made an offer of N60,000, and whatever the government does is in the interest of Nigerians.

“We won’t like to do something that will throw the country into another problem.

“Even as we do that, we are pleading with Labour. They are partners in this project called ‘Nigeria’ and we expect them to join hands with the FG as it strives to look for solutions that will take Nigeria to the desired prosperity.

“Our message is that of an appeal and the need for Labour to see reason with the government. That was even the basis for setting up the tripartite committee that was made up of Organised Labour, the sub-nationals, and the FG. This was because the government just didn’t want to make unilateral decisions. In any case, the position on the wage regime is not a one-sided thing.

“We expect that they will see reason with the government. That is why we are calling on them to show understanding by not embarking on the strike because we don’t want that at this point. A strike is not the solution to our problem. We are continuing our negotiation with them. The minister and other stakeholders are still talking to them and we believe that we will find a common ground.”