Accordimg to Ajapareporter.com, the Federal Government has implored Organised Labour to reconsider its decision to commence an indefinite strike on Monday, June 3, 2024, protesting the government’s stance on the proposed minimum wage of N60,000....CONTINUE READING
Highlighting the importance of prioritizing the welfare of the masses, the Federal Government emphasized its plea to Organised Labour. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed, conveyed this message during an exclusive interview with Saturday PUNCH.
Mohammed acknowledged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) as integral partners in national development, underscoring that resorting to industrial action isn’t the optimal solution in the ongoing negotiations for a new minimum wage.
The government’s appeal follows Organised Labour’s declaration of a nationwide strike starting Monday, June 3, 2024, due to the government’s refusal to adjust the proposed minimum wage.
NLC President Joe Ajaero announced the commencement of the indefinite strike, slated to kick off at midnight on Monday. Expressing disappointment with the government’s failure to finalize and enact a new National Minimum Wage Act, and to reverse the electricity tariff hike to N65/kWh, Ajaero emphasized the unions’ concerns.
Ajaero, delivering a joint statement with TUC counterpart Festus Osifo, criticized the government’s apparent lack of seriousness and disregard for the demands of Nigerian workers and citizens, notably citing the absence of governors and most ministers during Friday’s meeting, save for the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, who also serves as a conciliator.No government representative with sufficient authority to commit to any decisions was present, essentially leaving the meeting unattended,” Ajaero remarked, characterizing the government’s absence as disrespectful and indicative of a lack of dedication to a successful National Minimum Wage negotiation process.
He recalled Organised Labour’s ultimatum to the Federal Government during the last May Day celebration, urging the conclusion of the minimum wage negotiation by month’s end. “Yet,” he lamented, “there has been no substantial progress or commitment from the government to meet this demand.”
Addressing the grievances, Ajaero reiterated the demands for a reversal of the recent electricity tariff hike from N225/kWh to N65/kWh and the cessation of consumer categorization. He highlighted the nationwide one-day protest on May 13, 2024, as a precursor to these demands, noting the government’s lack of a substantial response despite public outcry over the tariff increase.
“Nigerian workers, the backbone of our economy, deserve wages commensurate with current economic realities,” Ajaero emphasized, expressing disappointment at the government’s continued neglect despite repeated calls and ultimatums.
He criticized the government’s resort to tactics aimed at discrediting and intimidating trade union leaders instead of engaging in meaningful dialogue, underscoring that governance should prioritize the people’s welfare above all else.
“The increase in electricity tariffs exacerbates the plight of already struggling citizens, depriving them of a decent standard of living,” Ajaero remarked, denouncing the government’s propaganda-driven response to the issue.
In light of the government’s persistent inaction, Ajaero announced the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress’s decision to issue a notice of an indefinite nationwide strike to the Federal Government.
“We emphasize that until the National Minimum Wage negotiation concludes and the agreed wage is enacted into law, the electricity tariff hike is reversed, and consumer categorization ceases, Nigerian workers are compelled to initiate an indefinite nationwide industrial action starting Monday, June 3, 2024, to assert our demands.””The NLC and TUC stand united in this endeavor, urging all our affiliates, state councils, civil society organizations, market vendors, and the public to brace for decisive action. We refuse any further delays or excuses. The welfare of Nigerian workers and citizens is non-negotiable, and we are prepared to take all necessary measures to uphold their rights and amplify their voices
Negotiations between the Federal Government and Organised Labour regarding the minimum wage hit a deadlock on Friday, with the government maintaining its stance on the proposed N60,000 figure.
This stalemate echoes previous encounters.
Earlier in the week, talks collapsed when the government and the Organised Private Sector raised their offer to N60,000, up from the initial N57,000 proposed the week prior.
Despite the government’s addition of N3,000 to its offer, bringing it to N60,000, Labour dismissed the proposal during the meeting.
Labour, in turn, reduced its demand by subtracting N3,000 from the previously proposed N497,000, settling at N494,000 during the meeting in an effort to expedite negotiations.
The Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, on May Day, set a deadline for the committee to conclude talks on a new national minimum wage by the end of the month, a deadline which expired on Friday.
Likewise, Osifo affirmed Labour’s commitment to the ultimatum issued on May Day following the breakdown of talks earlier in the week. “We set a deadline on May Day that if by the end of May, we didn’t have a new minimum wage that meets workers’ needs, we couldn’t guarantee industrial peace. We stand by that deadline,” Osifo reiterated.
On January 30, 2024, President Tinubu, through Vice President Kashim Shettima, inaugurated a 37-member tripartite committee tasked with proposing a new minimum wage. Comprising representatives from the Federal and state governments, the private sector, and Organised Labour, the committee’s mandate is to recommend a new national minimum wage for the country.During the committee’s inauguration, Shettima urged members to swiftly reach a resolution and submit their reports early, stressing the importance of timely submission in establishing a new minimum wage. “This timely submission is crucial to ensure the emergence of a new minimum wage,” he emphasized, also advocating for collective bargaining in good faith, contract adherence, and consultations beyond the committee’s confines.
Chaired by former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Goni Aji, the 37-member committee holds a significant role in this negotiation process
In response, the Minister of Information, speaking on behalf of the Federal Government, appealed to Organised Labour to reconsider its planned strike, emphasizing the government’s offer of N60,000 and its alignment with the interests of Nigerians. “We won’t like to do something that will throw the country into another problem,” he expressed, highlighting the importance of unity in addressing national issues.
The minister underscored the formation of the tripartite committee as a testament to the government’s commitment to finding common ground, urging unions not to backtrack on the progress achieved thus far. Expressing optimism in reaching an agreement, he implored Labour to engage in ongoing negotiations rather than resorting to strike.
Efforts to obtain reactions from Presidential Spokesperson Ajuri Ngelale and Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, were unsuccessful.NUPENG, along with other key unions in the power, oil, and gas sectors, have pledged their participation in the impending strike action, set to commence on Monday.
Officials from the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), and National Union of Electricity Employers (NUEE) affirmed their commitment to the strike.
With NUPENG controlling activities in the midstream and downstream segments of the oil sector, and PENGASSAN managing upstream activities, along with NUEE operating in the power sector, their involvement could lead to fuel scarcity and nationwide power outages.
An NUPENG representative emphasized their full engagement in the strike, stating, “NUPENG is part of NLC and shall be fully involved.”
Likewise, the National Public Relations Officer of PENGASSAN asserted their participation, noting, “PENGASSAN is an affiliate of TUC. We are obligated to participate.”
The acting Secretary-General of NUEE confirmed the electricity workers’ participation, simply stating, “Yes,” in response to whether they would join the strike declared by Labour.
Meanwhile, the National President of the Air Transport Senior Staff Services Association clarified that they had not yet received a strike action notice from their parent union, the Trade Union Congress.
Stating their affiliation with the TUC, the president emphasized their adherence to TUC’s approach of seeing dialogues through to completion. He maintained that until they receive a directive to join the strike, they remain unaffected.
