Labour Begins Mobilisation Of Workers For Nationwide Strike Over 30,000 Minimum wage

Published: October 10, 2019

The Labour Unions have begun mobilisation of workers for a planned nationwide strike over the delayed implementation of the new N30,000 minimum wage approved by the federal government.

The directive was given by the leaders of the union which comprises of Trade Union Side (TUS), the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN).

The leaders of labour unions also accused the government negotiating side of being nonchalant about negotiations on the implementation of the new minimum wage, adding that Nigerian workers have already exercised enough patience and restraint.

Nigerian Tribune reports that the ASCSN in a circular titled: “Mobilization for nationwide strike” directed its secretaries to liaise with joint union leaders in their state for serious mobilisation for the strike action.

The circular which was signed by the secretary-general of the ASCSN, Bashir Lawal, said the labour unions have given the FG up till Wednesday, October 16, to reconvene the meeting of the Consequential Adjustment Committee.

“We had already begun mobilisation of our members for an industrial action long before we made the pronouncement. We have given instructions on mobilisation to our members in the states and all council areas.

“If by October 16, government fails to do what we expect from it, we will start our action with a rally. On the second day (October 17), the strike will begin.
“We are not going to give any warning strike this time round. We have threatened to go on strike on many occasions. The public can attest to this through media publication and letters to government.”

Lawal said reconvening the meeting would enable it to conclude negotiation on the Consequential Adjustment arising from the approved N30,000 monthly National minimum wage.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Funmi Sessi said they would receive nothing less than N50,000 as minimum wage because of the special nature of the state.

According to the NLC chairman, Lagos State workers presently faced more hardship to get to work, hence the reason why N30,000 could no more be acceptable.