(NLC) Nigerian Labour Congress Threatens 14-Day Strike Over Minimum Wage Demands Amid Economic Challenges
In a recent announcement, the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, voiced deep frustration over the devaluation of the Naira and the impact on workers’ standard of living. Ajaero warned that if inflation continues to rise unchecked, the organized labour may seek a substantial increase in the minimum wage, proposing a figure as high as N1 million for Nigerian workers.
The call for a higher minimum wage comes in response to the significant surge in living costs, particularly since President Bola Tinubu assumed office and implemented measures such as the removal of fuel subsidies.
Ajaero emphasized the urgent need for a sustainable minimum wage to help civil servants cope with the rapidly increasing cost of living.
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In a bold move, the NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have issued a 14-day strike notice to the Nigerian government. This decision follows the government’s failure to implement a 16-point agreement dating back to October 2023.
The agreement aimed to address the hardships caused by rising petrol prices and the devaluation of the Naira, factors contributing to economic challenges and inflation.
The NLC and TUC have set a strict deadline of 14 days, starting from Friday, February 9, for the government to fulfill its commitments outlined in the October 2023 agreement. Failure to meet these demands could lead to widespread strikes that could have a severe impact on various sectors of the economy.
President Ajaero justified the demand for a N1 million minimum wage, citing the continuous depreciation of the Naira and the unchecked inflation. He highlighted that previous negotiations considered an exchange rate of N800/N900 to a dollar, whereas the current exchange rate stands at about N1,400 or even higher.
Ajaero stressed that the demand for a higher minimum wage is closely tied to the prevailing economic conditions and the cost of living index.
As the deadline looms, both the government and labour unions find themselves at a crucial juncture, and the outcome of this standoff will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for the Nigerian workforce and the nation’s economy as a whole.
