NLC, TUC Threatens Nationwide Strike as Tinubu’s Govt Suspends Payment of N35,000 Wage Award, Bonus

• Organised labour has sent an urgent message to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s led federal government
• The NLC and the TUC have threatened a fresh strike action if the federal government reneges on its promises regarding the new minimum wage
• Labour also hinted that the government’s move to stop the N35,000 wage award was another reason it will embark on industrial action, as it urges President Tinubu to do the needful

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements

Organized labour in Nigeria is gearing up to take a firm stance on the suspension of the wage award to civil servants, issuing a warning to federal and state governments to brace for an increase in the minimum wage from the current N30,000 monthly.

The warning signals a potential showdown as discussions around the new minimum wage gain momentum.

While the Federal Government has allocated N1 trillion for minimum wage adjustments in its 2024 budget, state governments have remained largely silent on the matter, raising concerns amidst the escalating cost of living nationwide.

As conversations around the new minimum wage continue, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed, revealed that the current N30,000 minimum wage would expire at the end of March 2024.

The federal government and the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council had agreed on the implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage in October 2019 after months of negotiations.

However, the recent suspension of the N35,000 wage award has sparked concerns within the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and its Trade Union (TUC) counterpart.

Speaking on the development, the deputy president of the TUC, Tommy Etim, warns that the body might resolve to embark on a prolonged industrial action during its next national executive council meeting.

In an interview with The Punch, published on Sunday, December 17, Tommy Etim said:

“However, the government has not also invited us to tell us why they have not paid; so, we are waiting; if by the end of December they have not paid, I can assure you that at the next meeting of NEC, there will be a resolution for an industrial action.”

NLC rejects Tinubu’s planned sale of Transmission Company of Nigeria

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has frowned against the recent move of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s led federal government.

Organised labour has rejected the planned privatization of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) as announced by the federal government.

Vanguard reported on Wednesday, December 13, that NLC warned that among others, it would worsen the socio-economic conditions of Nigerians.

Tension rises as FG stops payment of N35,000 wage award, NLC threatens strike

In another development, Legit.ng reported that workers in the Federal Civil Service have expressed dissatisfaction as the government, led by President Tinubu, reportedly failed to continue the payment of the N35,000 wage award, which was initially introduced in response to the removal of the fuel subsidy.

The wage award agreed upon in May 2023 was only paid for September, leading to growing discontent among civil servants.

Reacting, the head of information at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Benson Upah, in an interview on Monday, December 11, said: “This betrays the government’s dishonorable intentions and is completely unacceptable.”

Source: Legit.ng