In a significant development, electricity workers across Nigeria have vowed to down tools starting Sunday midnight, joining the ongoing indefinite strike action called by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Dominic Igwebike, the acting General Secretary of the National Union of Electricity Employees, disclosed this in a notice issued on Friday. The move comes in compliance with the indefinite strike action announced by the NLC and TUC, protesting the federal government’s failure to sign and implement a new minimum wage, as well as the recent 240% hike in electricity tariffs.
The NLC and TUC have rejected the government’s proposed minimum wage of N60,000, demanding instead a minimum of N400,000 for Nigerian workers. The unions are also pressing for an immediate reversal of the electricity tariff increase, seeking a return to the previous rate of N65 per kilowatt-hour from the current N208.80.
With the withdrawal of services by electricity workers set to commence on Sunday at midnight, the nation braces for a widespread blackout, as the indefinite strike action by organized labor takes effect from Monday onwards.
This development underscores the growing tensions between the Nigerian government and its workforce over key economic issues affecting the country.