Economic activities across Nigeria will come to a halt at 12 a.m. on Monday as workers from various sectors, including banking, oil and gas, healthcare, electricity, aviation, judiciary, and universities, have been directed by their unions to participate in a nationwide strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC).
The indefinite strike, announced on Friday, follows a breakdown in negotiations over the new minimum wage with the government.
In response, union leaders have instructed their members to mobilize and join the strike, resulting in widespread disruptions. Unions involved include the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE), Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Nigeria Union of Railway Workers (NURW), National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU), National Union of Civil Engineering Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers (NUCECFWW), Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP), Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreation Services Employees (AUPCTRE), and Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC).
PENGASSAN’s letter to members, titled Directive to Embark on a Nationwide Strike, states, Following the directive from our umbrella body, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), you are hereby directed to withdraw your services from all work locations effective Monday, June 3, 2024.
The withdrawal includes offices, logistics bases, field operations, terminal operations, loading points, etc., except for personnel responsible for safety.
NUEE’s directive to members reads, With reference to the circular from the NLC dated May 31, 2024, we are to mobilize and embark on an indefinite nationwide strike starting Monday, June 3, 2024, by 0:00.
All national, state, and chapter executives are requested to mobilize our members in total compliance with this directive.”
NUBIFIE informs its members, The Nigeria Labour Congress has directed all affiliates to commence an indefinite strike beginning on Monday, June 3, 2024. You are hereby directed to mobilize for effective participation in your respective zonal councils and domestic committees.
Judiciary workers have been told, Following the declaration of industrial action by NLC and TUC, beginning on Monday, June 3, 2024, due to the government’s inability to conclude the negotiation of the new minimum wage and refusal to reverse the increase in electricity tariffs, you are directed to mobilize to commence the industrial action.
The Medical and Health Workers Union states, In response to the nationwide indefinite strike declared by the Organized Labour over the Federal Government’s failure to reverse the electricity tariff increase and conclude negotiations for a living wage for Nigerian workers, you are requested to immediately mobilize our members for a total shutdown of all healthcare facilities in the country, commencing from 00:01 hours on June 3, 2024, in compliance with the directive of the NLC.
However, the Federal Government has appealed to the NLC and TUC to reconsider the strike, arguing it is not in the nation’s best interest.
The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, emphasized that the government has shown consistent commitment and goodwill throughout the negotiations with organized labour.
