Saturday, 01 June 2024 04:57

Labour unions announce indefinite nationwide strike over minimum wage, electricity tariff hike

Rate this item
(0 votes)

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have declared an indefinite strike in response to the federal government’s refusal to raise the new minimum wage above the N60,000 offered.

NLC spokesperson Ben Ukpa announced that the strike is set to begin on June 3. "The strike is due to the government’s refusal to increase the minimum wage and to reverse the electricity tariff hike," Ukpa said.

The labour unions had issued an ultimatum to the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the federal government to reverse the electricity tariff hike by May 31.

On April 3, NERC approved an increase in the electricity tariff for customers in the Band A classification—from N66 to N225 per kWh. This tariff hike sparked public outcry and demands for its reversal.

The unions also demanded that the federal government finalize the new national minimum wage process for workers by May 31. The federal government proposed minimum wages of N48,000, N54,000, and most recently, N60,000, all of which were rejected by the NLC and TUC. The unions insist on N494,000, citing the high cost of living.

In a statement released on Friday, the labour unions expressed their frustration with the government's neglect of its responsibilities despite repeated warnings.

"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 statement reads.

"We reiterate that since the national minimum wage negotiation exercise has not been concluded, the agreed wage has not been passed into law, the electricity tariff hike has not been reversed, and the categorization of consumers into Bands has not been stopped as demanded; Nigerian workers are compelled by these failures to embark on an indefinite nationwide industrial action beginning on Monday, the 3rd of June, 2024, to press home our demands."

"The NLC and TUC are united in this cause, and we call on all our affiliates, state Councils, Civil Society Organizations, market men and women, and the general populace to prepare for decisive action. We cannot and will not accept any further delays or excuses."

March 16, 2025

Petrol price war drives marketers to reduce purchases as losses mount

A price war between Dangote Petroleum Refinery and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL)…
March 16, 2025

El-Rufai speaks further on Tinubu’s presidency, Chicago scandal, other issues

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has revealed that he and other political leaders were…
March 14, 2025

How leaders train themselves to rethink and adapt faster

Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio Recognizing the value of rethinking is one thing—making it a habit is another.…
March 01, 2025

Man offers to split $525,000 jackpot with thieves who stole his credit card to buy…

A Frenchman appealed to the homeless thieves who stole his credit card to buy a…
March 14, 2025

Gunmen invade Kaduna communities, abduct 10

Suspected bandits have abducted ten villagers from three remote communities in Kajuru Local Government Area…
March 16, 2025

Here’s the latest as Israel-Hamas war enters Day 527

Freed Israeli hostage speaks for the first time about his 505 days of surviving Hamas…
March 15, 2025

Humanoid robot with human-like competence unveiled in China

Du Qiongfang Humanoid robot manufacturer AgiBot in Shanghai unveiled on Tuesday its latest humanoid robot…
January 08, 2025

NFF appoints new Super Eagles head coach

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed Éric Sékou Chelle as the new Head Coach…

NEWSSCROLL TEAM: 'Sina Kawonise: Publisher/Editor-in-Chief; Prof Wale Are Olaitan: Editorial Consultant; Femi Kawonise: Head, Production & Administration; Afolabi Ajibola: IT Manager;
Contact Us: [email protected] Tel/WhatsApp: +234 811 395 4049

Copyright © 2015 - 2025 NewsScroll. All rights reserved.