The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have agreed to suspend their indefinite strike following a crucial agreement with the Federal Government.
This resolution comes after the strike, which began on June 3rd, severely impacted multiple sectors of the Nigerian economy, including aviation, power, banking, and telecommunications.
The announcement of the suspension was made by Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, after an emergency meeting with labor leaders on Tuesday night. “We have reached a four-point resolution that includes a commitment to a higher minimum wage than N60,000,” Akume stated.
The resolution was officially signed by key figures including the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, Minister of State Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, NLC President Joe Ajaero, and TUC President Festus Osifo. The agreement mandates that a tripartite committee will meet daily for the next week to finalize a new national minimum wage.
A key part of the resolution reads, “Labour, in deference to the high esteem of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, commits to convening a meeting of its organs immediately to consider this commitment; and no worker would be victimized as a result of the industrial action.”
An anonymous senior labour executive confirmed to DAILY POST that the strike would be suspended to allow for further negotiations. “Organized labour will suspend its indefinite strike on Tuesday to continue negotiations with the tripartite committee. This decision follows the commitment extracted from the government after the meeting with the SGF,” he said.
Prior to this agreement, the country experienced widespread disruption as workers shut down vital sectors in protest of the government’s failure to implement a new minimum wage and reverse an electricity tariff hike.
Flights were canceled, leading to stranded passengers at major airports, and the Transmission Company of Nigeria announced a shutdown of the national grid, plunging the country into darkness.
The strike also affected fuel and diesel supplies, exacerbating an already critical situation with small businesses struggling to operate. Public offices and financial institutions were largely closed, and essential services were halted nationwide.
Adding to the tension, labor leaders reported being surrounded by the Army during their meeting with the SGF, although the Nigerian Army clarified that their presence was merely to accompany the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The minimum wage dispute has been a significant sticking point, with labour initially proposing N494,000 while the government offered N60,000. This impasse had led to several walkouts from negotiations by labour representatives. However, the latest agreement indicates the government’s willingness to increase its offer above N60,000.
Dr. Alex Nwuba, President of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of Nigeria, urged both parties to adopt a more realistic approach. “It’s unfortunate for those affected by the strike. Both labor and the government need to be empirical and realistic about the new minimum wage. Suspend the strike and determine what the economy can bear in wages,” he advised.
Industry expert Capt. John Ojikutu also weighed in, suggesting a minimum wage of N150,000 as a solution. “They should consider the electorates first. Minimum pay for workers should not be less than N150,000,” he emphasized.
Meanwhile, Kunle Olubiyo, President of the Nigerian Consumer Protection Network, advocated for the full privatization of the power sector to prevent future grid shutdowns. “If the power sector is fully privatized, the NLC and TUC won’t be able to shut down the national grid. We need a middle ground on the minimum wage to avoid such disruptions,” he said.
As the government and labor continue negotiations, the suspension of the strike provides a temporary reprieve for an economy already grappling with high inflation, unemployment, and energy crises. The coming days will be crucial in determining a sustainable resolution that addresses the demands of Nigerian workers while stabilizing the country’s economic landscape.