The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have insisted on going on strike on Monday as the National Assembly leadership fruitlessly called for a return to the negotiation table.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) backed the workers’ demand for an increase in the national minimum wage.
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker, House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, had on Sunday at a meeting had appealed to Labour stop the strike aimed at moving government to increase the national minimum wage of N35,000.
NLC announced an indefinite nationwide strike set to commence on Monday, June 3, 2024, citing the Federal Government’s refusal to raise the proposed minimum wage above N60,000.
NANS President, Pedro Obi in a statement on Sunday called on the government to respond promptly and favourably to the legitimate demands of Nigerian workers.
Obi highlighted the impact of economic challenges on the purchasing power of workers, stating, “The current economic realities have significantly eroded the purchasing power of the average Nigerian worker. Inflation, the rising cost of living, and the continuous devaluation of the naira have made it increasingly difficult for many families to meet their basic needs.”
He further emphasized the necessity of a living wage, saying for workers in the country.
“It is within this context that the organized labour demands for a living wage become not only reasonable but also imperative”
