Several unions have shut their workplaces in compliance with the directive of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike.
Organised labour had on Friday, announced that they will begin an indefinite nationwide indefinite strike after the government refused to increase the proposed minimum wage from N60,000.
After a last-ditch effort by members of Parliament to intervene fell through, the strike eventually began in the early hours of Monday.
In a joint statement delivered by the NLC President, Joe Ajaero and his Trade Union Congress counterpart, Festus Osifo, they expressed serious concerns and disappointment over the government’s failure to finalise and pass a new National Minimum Wage Act into law.
Amongst other demands, they also wanted the government to reverse the increase in electricity tariff to N65/kWh.
Both the NLC and TUC had given the government a May 31 ultimatum to resolve the minimum wage crisis, however, no compromise was reached.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities in a statement on Monday, directed lecturers in universities across the country to join the strike as an affiliate of the congress.
The statement read, “The NLC has declared an indefinite strike action beginning from Monday, 3rd June 2024, as a result of the failure of Government to conclude the renegotiation of minimum wage for Nigerian workers and reversal of hike in electricity tariff.
Aviation unions directed its members to withdraw services across airports in Nigeria on Sunday which severely disrupted travel plans nationwide.
The National Union of Electricity Employees also joined the strike on Sunday, leaving the country in a blackout as the national grid dropped to zero megawatts.