Labour Unions on Monday grounded business activities nationwide as strike actions declared by the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress recorded high compliance in many cities of the federation.
Also electricity workers reportedly shut down the national grid plunging the country into total darkness, according to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
The nationwide strike which kicked off in the early hours of Monday witnessed total compliance in Edo state as a special team of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the state moved round and shut down opened offices in compliance with the strike action.
The NLC special team went into action as early as 8 am to force or compel both the Federal and state government offices to close their doors which brought both social and commercial activities in several parts of Edo State to a halt.
The NLC special team’s action also affected as far as the Local government secretariats in all the eighteen local government areas and other government agency offices in the localities as they were all shut down.
In Benin City, banks were also shut even as customers, mostly Point Of Sale (POS) operators besieged several banks with the hope of getting cash for their business which also led to some of them quickly increasing their charges per transaction.
The NNPC Mega Filling State along Sapele Road was already opened for business in the early hours when the NLC team arrived and shut down the facility, the team also shut the entrance gate to the Oba Akenzua II Benin Airport which left many travelers stranded and many were seen trying to enter the airport through the exit gate.
Some public schools like Imaguero College which was opened and had students in, were also shut and the students and few teachers around were forced out of the premises.
The team was also in the Edo State House of Assembly Complex and disrupted an on-going prayer meeting but the Majority Leader of the House, Hon Charity Aiguobarueghan intervened who explained to the NLC team that it was a monthly prayer session.
They were allowed to conclude the session and then shut the complex. The NLC picketing team was led by the state Vice Chairman, Comrade Williams Uwumarogie who stood in for the state chairman, Comrade Odion Olaye.
Speaking, the NLC State Youth Chairman, Comrade Osaro Best Idahosa told journalists that “so far so good we have shut down NNPC mega station, we have shutdown the Pension Trustfund, NPDC, the Secretariat Complex, federal secretariat at Aduwawa, the High Court Complex.
“We discovered that some students forced themselves into some public schools, we shut them down, the Akenzua II Airport in Benin is shut down, the Museum, TCN, BEDC offices in Akpakpava.
There is no timeframe for this strike, it is indefinite but we look up to the national leadership to direct us on the next line of action, for now there is no time frame for this strike. We will continue again tomorrow (Tuesday).”
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, Edo State Council had on Sunday issued a notice of strike action to all members, urging them to join the strike action commencing on Monday, June 3rd 2024.
Our checks revealed that Edo workers joined the strike action in solidarity with the Nigerian workers and as a national labour Union directive.
According to the notice, titled, “Notice Of Strike Action” and signed by the chairman, TUC Edo State council, Comrade Peter Asemota “This is to inform you that the leadership of both the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have jointly declared an indefinite nationwide strike, effective from Monday, June 3rd, 2024.
“This decision came in responses to the Federal Government’s refusal to revert to the old electricity tariff and the failure to conclude discussions on the new Minimum Wage.
“As members of the Trade Union Congress in Edo State, you are hereby directed to comply with this national directive and fully participate in the strike action. This strike is a demonstration of our collective resolve to press for the reversal of the increased electricity tariff and to achieve a fair and livable minimum wage for all workers.
“Your active participation and unwavering support are essential to the success of this strike. Together, we can compel the Federal Government to address our demands and improve the welfare of all workers in Nigeria”
Labour unions in Katsina State on Monday joined their counterparts in other parts of the country to enforce the industrial action over the unresolved minimum wage negotiations and the recent hike in electricity tariff.
Civil servants at both federal, state and local government secretariats as well as commercial banks in the state were under lock and key as labour leaders monitored the level of compliance.
Checks by Independent correspondent in Katsina revealed that the NLC and TUC monitoring and compliance teams converged on the NLC Secretariat from where they visited the Katsina State Secretariat, the NYSC orientation camp, government establishments and commercial banks.
Speaking to newsmen during the enforcement exercise, the state NLC Chairman, Comrade Hussaini Hamisu ‘Yanduna, said the strike would go on until the federal government meets their demands.
“We embarked on this strike to let the government know that workers are not happy with the way the Tripartite Committee is handling the negotiations, we had expected that the New Minimum Wage would be implemented since last month.
“The organised Labour decided to embark on the strike based on the notice served to each Council to commence the strike by the 3rd of June, 2024 if the government failed to do the needful.
“Now we have commenced the industrial action as instructed, we have dispatched monitoring teams across the state to ensure total compliance with the strike.
“So far, there is total compliance. The purpose of the strike was one, on the minimum wage implementation and two, on the hike in electricity tariff”, ‘Yanduna concluded.
FG begs for return to Negotiation Table
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has appealed to Organised Labour to call off the ongoing strike and return to the negotiation table in the best interest of the country.
According to a statement by Rabiu Ibrahim, the Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris, who was accompanied by the Minister of State for Labour, Hon Nkeiruka Onyejeocha and the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, made the call at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday.
“This is a heartfelt and deeply considered appeal to the Labour Unions to continue along the path of negotiations with the Federal and State Governments, under the auspices of the Tripartite Committee that has been established to fashion out a new, realistic minimum wage for the Nigerian people.
“As Government, we are desirous of a peaceful outcome, and we will do everything to make this happen. Yesterday, the leadership of the National Assembly met with the Unions. Today, we have offered another invitation to the Unions, to meet with us and continue our discussions.
“We will continue to engage, and continue to make ourselves readily available in the context of these negotiations on behalf of the Nigerian people,” he said.
The Minister reiterated government’s position that Labour’s current proposal of N494,000, which translates into an annual wage bill of 9.5 Trillion Naira for the Federal Government of Nigeria alone is unrealistic and capable of crippling the Nigerian economy, by leading to massive job losses especially in the private sector.
Idris said the Federal Government has a responsibility to strike a measured and realistic balance, through collective bargaining, in its effort to arrive at a new minimum wage for Nigerians.
The Minister said the desire of President Tinubu to improve the living conditions of Nigerians goes beyond increase in minimum wage as several policies have been enacted to put more money into the pockets of Nigerians
He said the National Consumer Credit Scheme and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) are additional significant demonstrations of President Tinubu’s determination to bring relief to the people of Nigeria.
“We want the Labour Unions to understand that the relief that Nigerians are expecting, and that they fully deserve, will not come only in the form of increased wages. It will also come as efforts to reduce the cost of living, and to ensure that more money stays in the pockets of Nigerians.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) is firmly committed to doing what is right, reasonable and sustainable regarding these minimum wage negotiations. We call on the Labour Unions to reciprocate this gesture in the interest of the nation,” he said.
CAN Intervenes
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has viewed with great concern the ongoing strike action by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) over the minimum wage impasse and wishes to advise as follows.
Archbishop Daniel Okoh, President of CAN, emphasized the critical need for dialogue and compromise to resolve the ongoing strike action by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) over the minimum wage impasse.
“I strongly urge both the government and labour unions to return to the negotiating table with a renewed commitment to finding a mutually acceptable solution. It is crucial that we prioritize dialogue and compromise to resolve this impasse peacefully,” he stated.
Archbishop Okoh expressed empathy for Nigerian workers, recognizing their right to a fair and adequate minimum wage. “The legitimate demands of the labour unions for a fair and adequate minimum wage are understandable and justified.
Nigerian workers deserve a living wage that meets their basic needs and ensures their well-being,” he said.
However, he also noted the severe economic impact of the strike on the country and its most vulnerable citizens. “The disruption of essential services and the economic strain on families are causing widespread distress and hardship.”
He appealed to the government to take decisive action in addressing the plight of Nigerian workers. “I appeal to the government to earnestly consider the plight of Nigerian workers and take decisive action to implement a living wage.
Our workers are the backbone of our nation, and their well-being is integral to our collective prosperity,” Archbishop Okoh urged.
Furthermore, Archbishop Okoh called for peaceful and law-abiding conduct from the labour unions. “I encourage the labor unions to conduct their protests in a peaceful and law-abiding manner, avoiding violence and the destruction of property. We must remember that our actions today will shape the Nigeria of tomorrow,” he advised.
In a call for national unity, he said, “In these challenging times, I call on all Nigerians to remain calm and steadfast. Let us unite in prayer for a swift and just resolution to this crisis.
It is through our collective efforts, guided by faith and a commitment to peace, that we can build a nation that truly prioritizes the well-being of all its citizens.”
“May God bless Nigeria and guide us towards peace and prosperity,” he concluded.
LP, CISLAC, PASAN Blame Harsh Government’s Economic Policies
As the effects of the nation wide strike by organized labour continue to spread with government agencies shutting down services, Labour Party has called on the federal government and the organized labour to return to the negotiating table, and arrive at an acceptable position for the sake of suffering Nigerians.
LP also noted that in just few hours into the strike, Nigeria has been thrown into darkness, hospitals shut and water pipes drained thereby throwing Nigerians into yet another hardship.
Recall that Sunday night, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, led a federal government delegation to interface with Labour, and prevent a shut down of the country starting 2am of Monday morning as threatened by the workers body.
The meeting however ended in a standoff as both organized labour and the federal government’s delegation comprising Akpabio, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, Minister of State for Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi; Ministers of Labour, Agriculture, Finance, Budget & Planning and the Head of Service of the Federation; did not shift grounds.
The NLC president Joe Ajaero, and his TUC counterpart, Festus Osifo, among others, represented the organized labour.
A statement by Obiorah Ifoh, National Publicity Secretary of the party said “In order to remove that suffering from the people, both the government and the Labour have to shift ground to have a meeting point
“It is our opinion that the Federal Government ought not to have allowed the strike to commence in the first instance. And whether a new minimum wage is due, the answer is yes, because the reality as at today is that the current minimum wage of N30.000 can not even take anybody home. It cannot stand economic realities of the people as at today. This reality accords the importance of an upward review of the minimum wage.
As to the amount that is being demanded, it is our sincere opinion that both parties should come to an agreement, each party should shift their position in the spirit of negotiation so that we can have something that is reasonable from both sides. The amount being tabled by the Federal Government can be upped but the Organised Labour must also prune their demands.”
The party also urged both parties to come back to the drawing tables, as it appealed to government to “play the role of the father figure by ensuring that Labour comes back to the table so that they can discuss and agree in order to avert the current suffering that the people are going through.
The government must show concern, sincerity and that they are ready to shift ground enough for the Labour to trust them and return to the negotiation table.”
Similarly, the Civil Society Advocacy and Legislative Centre (CISLAC) has revealed that the strike followed repeated insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians, by politicians.
Executive Director of CISLAG, Auwal Rafsanjani, said that “politicians have continued to show extravagance, and at the same time, make life difficult for the people by the various economic policies of President Tinubu.
So, I believe that this is why Labour has to take the decision it took, to protect the people, especially Nigerian workers from politicians.”
Speaking with Timesreporters Online over the phone, Rafsanjani urged the federal government “to do everything to ensure dignity in Labour, and must battle spending and waste by public officials. So that they’ll localize, and improve the living conditions of Nigerians, and workers generally.
“Government cannot be spending, increasing wages and allowances of over bloated political appointees, aides and politicians, while the real Nigerian workers are languishing and are not able to receive decent wages.”
He asked government to put in place realistic action, towards honoring the agree with the Nigerian workers.
In the same vein, the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) in a telephone conversation told Daily Independent that the National Assembly complex would remain closed to staff and visitors indefinitely.
PASAN public relations officer, Amos Enobong, said that the Association “is an affiliate of Labour and is adhering to a Directive by the national body.
Enobong said that “nobody, including the Clerk of the National Assembly is in the building, and this would continue until Labour calls off the strike.”
