protesting workers under the aegis of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have shut down the entrance to the Office of the Head of Service building at the Federal Secretariat, phase two in Abuja.
The NLC and TUC commenced a nationwide indefinite industrial action today in protest against the federal government’s proposed minimum wage of N60,000. This follows failed negotiations between the government and organized labor.
NLC President Joe Ajaero announced that the strike was also due to the government’s refusal to reverse the withdrawal of the power sector subsidy and increase in electricity tariff.
The labor unions had earlier given a May 31, 2024 deadline for the conclusion of new minimum wage negotiations. The government had raised its offer from N57,000 to N60,000, while the labor unions reduced their demand from N497,000 to N494,000. The labor leaders had initially demanded N615,000.
However, the negotiations deadlocked as the government maintained its offer of N60,000, leading to the declaration of the nationwide indefinite strike by the NLC and TUC.