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| Minimum Wage Strike Commences Despite National Assembly's Intervention |
Organized labor has stood firm in its decision to begin an indefinite strike today, following the federal government's refusal to raise the minimum wage beyond N60,000. The demand from labor is now set at N494,000. The meeting held in Abuja last night involved the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, and his Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Festus Osifo, along with other national executives. Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen presided over the meeting.
Despite appeals from the Senate president, the strike will proceed as labor engages with its various organs. Ajaero emphasized that while they appreciate the appeal, it is not feasible to call off the industrial action immediately. The negotiations surrounding the minimum wage are ongoing, and labor will consult with its respective organs to address the issues raised.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has declared the strike illegal, citing a breach of an order from the National Industrial Court. Workers planning to embark on the indefinite strike risk a six-month jail term. Fagbemi highlighted the importance of the 15-day notice required by Section 18 of the Trade Disputes Act, which aims to prevent non-compliance with provisions.
As the strike unfolds, there remains uncertainty about the impact on the ongoing airlift of Nigerian hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. Aviation unions, including the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP), and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), have joined the strike after an emergency meeting.
In accordance with directives from the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, we hereby notify the general public, aviation service providers, airline operators, aviation businesses, and all aviation workers nationwide that, effective June 3, 2024, at 0000 hours, all services at Nigerian airports will be **fully withdrawn** until further notice.
Acknowledging that several international flights to Nigeria are already in progress, the strike action will commence specifically at international terminals on June 4, 2024.
We urge all aviation workers to recognize the gravity of this struggle and comply unwaveringly. Branch officers of our unions are tasked with ensuring full compliance at all airports.
By Saawua Terzungwe, Balarabe Alkassim, Itodo D. Sule, John C. Azu, Idowu Isamotu (Abuja), and Abdullateef Aliyu (Lagos).
Additionally, the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), and other unions have expressed their support for the strike.
