There are strong indications that Organised Labour is poised to initiate a nationwide strike beginning on Monday, June 3.
According to reports, the reason behind the strike action lies in the ongoing negotiations surrounding a new national minimum wage.
The tripartite committee responsible for determining the minimum wage, known as the National Minimum Wage Committee (NNMW), is reconvening today, May 31. The meeting follows an abrupt adjournment due to Labour’s walkout during the previous session.
Labour Representatives accused government negotiators of being unserious in their approach to the negotiation process. Simultaneously, fingers are being pointed at state governors for allegedly collaborating to hinder the negotiation process and stall progress.
The stakes are high, as the outcome of the discussions directly impacts the livelihoods of workers across the country. Recall that the negotiating team representing labour had previously walked out of the committee meeting on two occasions.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government had marginally increased its offer from N57,000 to N60,000 on Wednesday, May 22.
However, this fell short of meeting Labour’s demands. Earlier, on May 15, the same team had left the tripartite committee meeting when the government offered N48,000, and the Organised Private Sector (OPS) proposed N54,000—both figures greatly below Labour’s initial demand of N615,000.
In a letter reconvening the meeting, Ekpo Nta, the member/Secretary of the committee representing the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission (NSIWC), formally invited all stakeholders to attend the seventh meeting.
According to Nta, the meeting is scheduled for Friday, May 31, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall in the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, starting promptly at 10:00 am. For those unable to attend physically, a Zoom link has been provided to facilitate remote participation.
Organised Labour sources have indicated that a nationwide strike may commence on Monday, June 3, depending on the outcome of today’s meeting. The one-month ultimatum given to the government to conclude negotiations on the new minimum wage is set to expire, and Labour Leaders are mobilizing for potential industrial action.
