There are indications that the nationwide strike over the new minimum wage may end soon, as the Federal Government and organized labour unions reached an agreement on Monday evening.
The six-hour meeting, held at the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, resulted in a commitment from President Bola Tinubu to raise the minimum wage above N60,000.
The government expressed its dedication to addressing the labour unions’ demands, stating that “the President is committed to establishing a national minimum wage higher than N60,000.
“To finalize an agreeable figure, the Tripartite Committee will convene daily for the next week.”
In response, “the organized labour agreed to immediately hold meetings with its members to consider the new offer and assured that no worker would face victimization for participating in the strike.”
The agreement was signed by Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, and Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, on behalf of the Federal Government.
Representing the organized labour were Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Joe Ajaero and Trade Union Congress (TUC) President Festus Osifo.
The Federal Government will resume talks with the labour unions today to revive the stalled minimum wage negotiations. The meeting invitation, signed by the Secretary of the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage, Ekpo Nta, indicated that the session will be held at Nicon Luxury Hotel in Abuja.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, called for more negotiations, highlighting the financial burden of the proposed minimum wage.
“Labour’s current proposal of N494,000 translates into an annual wage bill of N9.5 trillion for the Federal Government,” he said.
Idris urged “the unions to return to the negotiation table, promising that the government would be available for further discussions.”
The Labour Party also called on the unions to reconsider the strike, describing the demand for N494,000 as unrealistic.
“Nigerians are already grappling with many challenges, and we do not need to exacerbate the situation.
“The strike, which began on Monday, has paralyzed economic and commercial activities nationwide. Airports, banks, schools, public offices, and hospitals were locked down,” said the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh.
In Osun, Ogun, Lagos, Niger, Sokoto, Kano, and other states, the strike was effective, with high compliance observed.
In Osogbo, Osun State, the power station and the Osun Government Secretariat were shut, with heavy security presence.
“The Federal Government should listen to Labour. Labour is a force to be reckoned with,” said Mr. Musibau Okunloye, Chairman of Lagos Generation and Transmission Council.
“Public schools were shut, and banks received few customers. In Ondo State, the strike caused a complete shutdown of public offices and schools.”
“We have made a good start. Majority of our public and private offices are closed, and there is no work,” said NLC Chairman Victor Amoko.
In Sokoto, public schools and offices complied with the strike order, and at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, doctors continued to attend to patients.
“We are joining the strike action immediately after our congress,” said ASUU Chairman Prof. Muhammad Almustapha.
Niger State also saw high compliance, with banks, schools, hospitals, and government offices shut down.
“This development is highly impressive, considering the government is not ready to take necessary action,” said resident Aliyu Tanimu.
In Rivers State, schools, banks, and public offices were closed.
“There is 100 percent compliance, and we are monitoring to ensure that workers comply,” said NLC Chairman Alex Agwanwor.
“The compliance was impressive, and things will improve as we go on,” said Kebbi State NLC Chairman Murtala Usman.
The strike also affected airports, with the shutdown of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, leaving passengers stranded.
“This is demoralizing. We have connecting flights to other countries,” lamented Emmanuel Oyeleke.
Patients in hospitals were not spared the strike’s impact, with health workers downing tools. At Kubwa General Hospital, Abuja, a staff member at the Radiology Unit informed patients that they would not be attended to due to the strike.
Despite the challenges, the Nigerian Medical Association assured that its members would attend to patients, as it is not an affiliate of organized labour.
“The NMA has not declared a strike action, hence doctors will be at their duty posts,” said NMA National Secretary-General Dr. Benjamin Egbo.