Nigerian Labor Unions Suspend Strike For One Week

Abuja, Nigeria– The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have called off their industrial action for a week.

The TUC President Festus Osifo on Tuesday, made this known to the newsmen in Abuja and disclosed that a formal communique will be issued shortly to provide further details on this decision.

It would recalled that on Monday, June 3, a meeting between the Federal Government and the labor unions resulted in both parties arriving at a resolution after the Federal Government pledged to make an upward review of the proposed N60,000 minimum wage.

The suspension of the strike is expected to allow for continued negotiations and discussions with relevant stakeholders to address the underlying issues that prompted the industrial action.

Both unions began an indefinite strike on Monday, June 3 to press home their demands for an increase in minimum wage as well as the suspension in the hike in electricity tariff. Economic activities were grounded across the country.

Labour’s actions followed the expiration of the May 31 deadline for an agreement on a new minimum wage. They have been locked in negotiations with the Federal Government.

During the failed talks with the government, Labour rejected three government offers, the latest being ₦60,000. The TUC and the NLC subsequently pulled out of negotiations, insisting on ₦494,000 as the new minimum wage.