Several unions have shut down their workplaces following a directive from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to begin an indefinite nationwide strike.
On Friday, these Labour unions announced the strike because the Federal Government refused to raise the proposed minimum wage from N60,000.
The labor unions also demanded a reversal of the electricity tariff increase to N65/kWh.
NLC President Joe Ajaero stated that the strike would start at midnight on Sunday, June 2, 2024.
In a joint statement, Ajaero and TUC President Festus Osifo expressed their disappointment over the government’s failure to finalize and pass a new National Minimum Wage Act.
The unions had set a deadline of May 31, 2024, for negotiations on the new minimum wage, but talks broke down on Tuesday when both parties presented their offers.
The government raised its offer from N57,000 to N60,000, but labor rejected it, maintaining their demand at N494,000 after a slight reduction.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) instructed its members to join the strike.
ASUU President Emmanuel Osodeke emphasized the need for all branches to participate, noting the government’s failure to renegotiate the minimum wage and reverse the electricity hike.
Similarly, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) also directed their members to join the strike.
SSANU’s Senior Assistant General Secretary, Kingsley Okayi, called for a comprehensive closure of workplaces, while NUT Secretary General Mike Ene emphasized strict compliance from all schools.
Other unions, including the National Union of Electricity Employees, the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees, and the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, have also joined the strike.
Aviation unions, such as the National Union of Air Transport Employees and the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, announced they would withdraw services at all Nigerian airports starting from midnight on June 3, 2024.
Here is a list of unions participating in the strike:
- Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)
- Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria
- National Union of Electricity Employees
- National Union of Banks, Insurance, and Financial Institutions Employees
- Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria
- Joint Union Action Committee
- Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT)
- National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives
- Joint Health Sector Unions
- Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees
- National Union of Civil Engineering, Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers
- Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria
- National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers
- Nigeria Union of Railway Workers
- Nigeria Civil Service Union
- Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals
- Academic Staff Union of Colleges of Agriculture
- Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities
- Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies
- Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria
- Nigerian Union of Journalists
- Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnic
- National Union of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employees
- Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees
- Iron and Steel Senior Staff Association of Nigeria
- National Union of Air Transport Employees
- Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria
- National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers
- National Union of Postal and Telecommunication Employees
- Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN)
- Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions
- National Association of Academic Technologists