Members of the Organised Labour, comprising the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Uniin Congress (TUC), have declared to embark on an indefinite strike over the Federal Government’s refusal to raise the minimum wage from N60,000.
NLC president, Joe Ajaero, who disclosed this yesterday, during a press conference in Labour House, Abuja, said the strike begins by the midnight of Sunday, June 2.
Ajaero, who was flanked by the TUC President, Festus Osifo, including other Labour leaders at the briefing, called on Nigerians to rise defend their interest over failure of the government to prioritise the welfare of workers.
Ajaero added, “It continues to remain our belief that the people ought to be the only reason for governance and nothing else. Government must therefore seek the welfare of the people at all times and refusal to put the people first compels all patriots to take the right step in assisting the government govern well.
“The hike in electricity tariff impoverishes further the already suffering people and denies them the right to decent living. Instead of taking remedial action or engaging in a meaningful dialogue,Nigerians were visited with a barrage of the usual propaganda.
“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”.
The labour leader said they believe that this the time to stand in solidarity with the working class because they have been bartered and have been downtrodden the way they have been treated from May 29 till date. He said that workers in country shall commence strike by midnight Sunday.
He maintained that both the NLC and TUC are united in this cause while calling on all our affiliates and state Councils, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), market men and women, and the general populace to prepare for a decisive action.
Earlier yesterday, the Federal Government reportedly failed to propose an amount higher than the N60,000 previously offered which forced the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) to walk out of the meeting for a press conference where the strike was announced.
Recall that Organised Labour, under the aegis of the NLC, and its counterpart, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, (TUC), had earlier hinted that it might declare a nationwide strike from Monday if the tripartite committee on the new national minimum wage failed to meet the expectations of Labour.
At briefing, leaders of NLC and TUC pleaded with Nigerians to bear with them, saying “Apologies for inconveniences but commitment to pursue the cause to its conclusion”.
