The Organized Labour in Nigeria on Tuesday, suspended the nationwide strike it declared last week, after shutting down the nation for a day. Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) came to this decision afteer closed door deliberations with the federal government, noting that it is to give room for uninterrupted meetings with the tripartite committee on the new national minimum wage.
TUC chairman, Festus Osifo confirmed this on Tuesday after meeting with the NLC, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, George Akume, and other government officials on Monday.
He disclosed that they reached a resolution that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was committed to a new minimum wage higher than N60,000.
Meanwhile TheNGblog reported on Friday that the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress declared an indefinite strike which began Monday, June 3, 2024.
Organized labour in a joint statement by NLC President Joe Ajaero and TUC President Festus Osifo, said the strike has become necessary as the Federal Government appears recalcitrant in its refusal to increase the N60,000 it offered at the resumption of the tripartite committee meeting in Abuja.
Osifo said; “As you are aware, we had the last meeting preceding today, which was on Tuesday. In that meeting, they (the government) offered N60,000. They invited us for a meeting today (Friday), and we deliberated on it, thinking they were showing the necessary commitment.
“To our surprise, there was no serious representation from either the Federal Government or the state governors who are supposed to be part of the negotiations.
“So, technically, we felt they have abandoned us because they remained adamant about the N60,000 offer. Not even a kobo was added to what we rightfully rejected.”