Billions at risk as labour union plans a 30-day strike

Nigeria’s labor union has threatened to go on a 30-day strike if the government fails to comply with their demands. On Tuesday, the Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC) warned that the possibility of a month-long strike would be in play if the government deregulated the national minimum wage. 

They argued that public servants with the highest rankings are paid fairly across the board, and this should translate to those earning the minimum wage.

As reported by the Nigerian newspaper, The Punch, the labor group is currently awaiting the conclusion of the negotiations between Organised Labour, the Federal Government, and the Organised Private Sector, to determine the minimum wage. Should the negotiations fall through, the NLC plans to keep true to its threats and shut down the nation for a month. The last strike the group embarked on saw an abrupt halt in economic activities across numerous states. It also precipitated a nationwide power outage and hampered the provision of key services.

Speaking on the fringes of the 67th Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association Annual General Meeting in Lagos, NLC President Joe Ajaero made it known and clear where the union stands.

“The very moment the House of Representatives and the Senate come up with such a law that will not benefit Nigerian workers, they will be their drivers and gatemen, and there will be no movement for one month. We cannot accept any situation where the governors and the National Assembly members will foist a slave wage on workers and force poverty on the citizens. Organized Labour will not accept it,” the NLC president stated.

“The so-called decentralization of wages to pay somebody here less than what the other person is receiving is against the concept of equity and equality before the law,” he added.

Speaking further on the subject of decentralized wages, the NLC President stressed; “There is no governor that is not receiving the same thing nationwide, they are not receiving according to their revenue in their states, but they want that of the workers to be so. – Business Insider Africa