Labour Sets To Shut Banks, Airports, Hospitals From Monday

Economic activities across Nigeria will be shut down by 12 a.m. on Monday morning as workers in the banking, oil and gas, medical and health, electricity, aviation, judiciary, and university sectors, among others, have been directed by the leadership of their unions to join the nationwide strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC).

The duo declared an indefinite strike on Friday following a breakdown on the new minimum wage negotiation with government.

Following the declaration of the industrial action by two labour centres and a directive that all affiliates should mobilize for the commencement of the action beginning on Monday, virtually all the unions have sent out letters directive their members to join the strike.

The unions whose letter were obtained by our reporter are; 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), Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC).

PENGASSAN letter to members titled: “Directive to Embark on a Nationwide Strike” reads, “Following the directive from our umbrella body, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), on the above subject, you are hereby directed to withdraw your services from all work locations effective Monday, June 3rd, 2024. The withdrawal of members includes offices, logistics bases, field operations, terminal operations, loading points, etc. The only exception are personnel manning for safety.

The NUEE directive to members across the country in part reads, “With reference to the circular from the NLC dated May 31, 2024, we are to mobilise and embark on an indefinite nationwide strike starting Monday, June 3, 2024, by 0:00. All national, state, and chapter executives are requested to start the mobilisation of our members in total compliance with this directive.”

To its members nationwide, the Banks Union tells them, “This is to inform all NUBIFIE organs that the Nigeria Labour Congress has directed all affiliates to commence an indefinite strike beginning on Monday, June 3, 2024. In total compliance with the directive from the NLC, you are hereby directed to mobilise for effective participation in your respective zonal councils and domestic committees.”

A judicial worker said to its members, “Following the declaration of industrial action by NLC and TUC, beginning on Monday, June 3, 2024, due to the inability of the government to conclude the negotiation of the new minimum wage and refusal to reverse the increase in electricity tariff, you are directed to commence mobilisation to commence the industrial action.

The Medical and Health Workers Union said, “Sequel to the declaration of a nationwide indefinite strike by the Organised Labour over the Federal Government’s apparent unseriousness and failure to reverse the satanic increment of the electricity tariff and conclude negotiations for a living wage for Nigerian workers, you are requested to immediately commence intense mobilisation of our members for a total shutdown of all the healthcare facilities in the country, commencing from 00:01 hours on June 3, 2024, in compliance with the directive of the NLC.”

But the Federal Government has appealed to the NLC and TUC to prevail on their members to shelve the planned strike, saying it was not in the interest of the nation. The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, noted that the government had consistently demonstrated commitment and goodwill throughout the negotiations with organised labour.

On Friday, the tripartite committee negotiating the new national minimum wage failed to reach an agreement with organised labour. Both the government and the organised private sector refused to shift grounds on the N60,000 offer it presented at Tuesday’s meeting.

The government raised its offer from an initial N48,000 to N57,000. The offers were dismissed by labour, who were asking for N615, 000. After a series of horse-trading, the government and OPS added N3,000 to the N57,000, taking the total offer from both sides to N60, 000, while labour lowered its demands to N497,000 and then to N494,000.

The minister cautioned that declaring a strike in the middle of ongoing negotiations would not only compound the economic woes but also exacerbate the suffering of millions of Nigerians who are already struggling to eke out a living from their daily endeavours.

In a statement by her media adviser, Emameh Gabriel, she explained that the government’s proposals were carefully crafted, taking into account the country’s economic realities and incorporating innovative solutions.

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