By Goodluck Ikiebe
The Nigerian government has proposed another round of meeting with labour leaders on Tuesday in efforts to stop the ongoing strike by Organized Labour.
The Government through the National Salaries Wages and Income Commission will interface with labour unions comprising, Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress.
However, it is not yet clear if the Labour leaders will attend the meeting.
Some unions have shut their workplaces to comply with the directive of the two labour unions to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike.
On Friday, organised labour announced that they will be commencing a nationwide indefinite strike due to the refusal of the Federal Government to increase the proposed minimum wage from N60,000.
According to the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, the strike will begin at midnight on Sunday, June 2, 2024.
In a joint statement delivered by Ajaero and his Trade Union Congress counterpart, Festus Osifo, they expressed their serious concerns and disappointment over the Federal Government’s failure to finalise and pass a new National Minimum Wage Act into law.
They also demanded that the government should reverse the increase in electricity tariff to N65/kWh.
Recall that both unions had given an ultimatum of May 31, 2024, for negotiations on the new minimum wage.
However, talks between organised labour and the Federal Government broke down on Tuesday after both parties presented their offers.
The government increased its initial offer of N57,000 by adding N3,000 to make it N60,000.
This proposal was rejected by labour during the meeting while labour also lowered their demand from last week’s proposal of N497,000 by removing N3,00 which reduced their new proposal to N494,000.
