Minimum wage: NLC tells workers to begin strike Thursday

The Nigeria Labour Congress has directed workers to proceed on a nationwide warning strike with effect from Thursday .This followed the delay in negotiations for a new minimum wage by the Federal Government .

General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress , Dr Peter Ozo- Eson, in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday , directed all industrial unions in the country and state councils to immediately begin the mobilisation of their members in readiness for the warning strike .

It read , “ This is to inform you that the organised labour shall commence a nationwide warning strike in respect of the non – implementation of the National Minimum Wage effective midnight of Wednesday , September 26 , 2018 .

“ All industrial unions and all state councils are to commence mobilisation immediately for an effective strike action nationwide . A formal notification letter will be sent later in the day . ”

President Muhammadu Buhari had in November 2017 , inaugurated a tripartite committee to negotiate a new national minimum wage for the country .

The government had assured workers that the committee, which began sitting in March 2018 , would conclude its work by the end of this month .

The Minister of Labour and Employment , Chris Ngige , who assured the workers of a new wage by the end of the third quarter , later announced that the committee had yet to finalise its work .

He stated that the government needed more time to consult before arriving at a figure which would be discussed by the committee.

The panel subsequently adjourned indefinitely .

The development , however , angered organised labour which accused the government of delaying the process and issued a two – week ultimatum .

It threatened to embark on a strike if the government failed to recall the committee and conclude negotiation on the new minimum wage .

Though Vice President Yemi Osinbajo held a meeting with the tripartite committee last week in response to the threat , the unions appeared unimpressed with the development .
The labour ministry spokesman , Mr Samuel Olowookere , could not be reached for comments as he did not respond to phone calls . He had yet to reply an SMS on the strike threat as of the time of filing this report .

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