The proposed 7-day warning strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has now been declared as ‘indefinite’, after a last minute effort by the federal government to prevent the group from embarking on a strike.
After the meeting where the 7-day warning strike was declared, the Minster of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, called for another meeting with labour leaders, in a bid to avert the strike.
However, after the meeting, Ayuba Wabba, NLC President, said the strike would go as scheduled both parties failed to reach an agreement.
In his earlier briefing before the meeting, Wabba said the strike will be total and comprehensive.
“In compliance with this mandate, all workers and private sector at all levels across the country have been directed to comply.
“All public and private institutions, offices, banks, schools, public and private business premises including filling station are to remain shut till further noticed,” he said.
Newsmen reported how the second largest labour union, TUC, had also asked its members to commence the strike.
The workers are demanding a new minimum wage of about N50,000 instead of the current national minimum wage of N18,000. Most state governors as well as proponents of true federalism have, however, argued that states should be allowed to set their own minimum wage especially as many states are barely able to pay the current N18,000 minimum wage.
