The Organized Labour in Nigeria has threatened to resume its nationwide strike if the Federal Government and National Assembly fail to meet its demand for a minimum wage of ₦250,000 by Tuesday, June 11, 2024.
The labour unions had relaxed their indefinite strike last week, giving the government a one-week grace period to meet their demands.
Chris Onyeka, Assistant General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), stated that the organs of the NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) would meet to decide on the next course of action if the government fails to meet their demands. He emphasized that Labour won’t accept any “starvation wage” below ₦250,000, which they consider a living wage for an average Nigerian worker.
The minimum wage negotiations have been ongoing since January 2024, with Labour initially demanding ₦615,000, then reducing it to ₦494,000, and finally to ₦250,000. The government and Organised Private Sector had offered ₦60,000, which was rejected by Labour, leading to the strike. The President had directed the Minister of Finance to present a template for a new minimum wage, but the two sides failed to reach an agreement on Friday, June 7, 2024.
