The organised labour, yesterday, made real its threat by shutting down the country after it ordered a nationwide strike in the wake of the recent hike in electricity tariffs and the failure to reach a resolution on the contentious issue of national minimum wage with the federal government.
Coming together under the force of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade union Congress (TUC), the organised labour also plunged the entire nation into total blackout after it shut down the hitherto troubled national grid
However, after an exhaustive deliberation that ended late last night at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the federal government and organised labour reached a common ground on the National Minimum wage that is higher than N60,000 for Nigerian workers.
The understanding was reached via a resolution signed on behalf of the unions by the President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo and Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha and Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammad Idris for federal government.
The parties said President Bola Tinubu had indicated commitment to a National Minimum Wage higher than N60,000.
They said arising from the assurance of the President, the Tripartite Committee would now meet everyday for the next one week with a view to arriving at an agreeable National Minimum Wage.
According to the resolution, in deference to the high esteem of the President in making the commitment, the leadership of NLC and TUC has also undertaken to convene a meeting of their organs immediately to consider Tinubu’s commitment.
The meeting also resolved that no worker would be victimised or made a scapegoat as a result of the industrial action.
Also, yesterday, the NLC said the refusal by some states to comply with the National Minimum Wage Act of 2019 was not due to lack of resources but a result of a deficit of leadership or or worse still, unwillingness to prioritise workers’ welfare.
But the federal government has appealed to the organised labour to call off the ongoing strike and return to the negotiation table in the best interest of the country.
Nevertheless, reports from across states of the federation showed that the strike was generally impactful as it paralysed the economy, grounded businesses and government offices, especially after the national grid was shut down.
The industrial action crippled activities majorly in the aviation, banking, health and education sectors, majorly in demonstration against government’s refusal to approve the proposed N494,000 as minimum wage for the Nigerian workers.
The demonstration, however, proceeded after the Labour Unions failed to reach an agreement with the national assembly yesterday on the minimum wage.
