. As NASS fail to reach agreement with organised labour
By Stanley Onyeka, Lagos and Tochukwu Bliss, Abuja
In compliance with the directive on Friday, the organised labour today began a nationwide strike in protest of the Federal Government’s inability to reach an agreement on the new minimum wage, and reversal of the new electricity tariff.
Already, electricity workers have shut down the National Grid, thereby throwing most parts of the country into darkness.
Passengers are also stranded at the airports around the country, as aviation workers also downed tools in alliance with the protest.
The strike comes despite last minute intervention by the National Assembly, led by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to get the unions to call off the strike.
Rising from a meeting with the leadership of the National Assembly and representatives of the Executive, which lasted for about four hours, the labour unions told journalists the strike must proceed, as the meeting ended in deadlock.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume; the Ministers of Finance, Wale Edun, Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu; and Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and a host of others, also attended the meeting.
Led by the President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, and President, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo, the unions said it was too late to withdraw the action without consulting their various organs.
Specifically, TUC’s Osifo said: “It is difficult and in fact impossible for us as labour leaders to call off the strike here.
“We need to communicate with our various organs, meaning that the industrial action starts on Monday as planned.”
Recall that labour had earlier given the May 31, 2024 deadline for the conclusion of negotiations on the new minimum wage.
But the government could not come to an agreement on the amount, where labour had initially demanded N615,000. After several meetings, which also ended in deadlock, the government offered to pay N60,000, N57,000 while labour unions reduced their demand to N494,000 from N497,000 proposed earlier. The.
Meeting outcomes
Speaking on the outcome of the meeting, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, said: “After about four hours deliberation with leadership of the organised labour, we resolved that the Federal Government should re-introduce the wage award of N35,000 given to all categories of federal workers from October last year to February this year, pending the time the issue of minimum wage is resolved.
“We have appealed to the organised labour to shelve the strike action because of the consequences and collateral damage involved.
“For example, we cannot at this time allow hospitals to be shut down to save the lives of those in emergencies or aided by oxygen to breathe.
“We are very much aware of all the steps taken by the Federal Government and labour to agree on acceptable minimum wage and very much ready to join in the negotiation by reaching out to President Bola Tinubu.
“We believe that the leadership of the organised labour after leaving here will reach out to their entire membership to call off the strike in the interest of all Nigerians.”
Also commenting, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, said: “the take-homes from the meeting were that the federal government would be prevailed upon to re-introduce the N35,000 wage award pending the time agreement on minimum wage is reached between it and the labour unions.
“That leadership of both the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) should go and consult with their members on the need to quickly call off the strike in the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.”
It is difficult and in fact impossible for us as labour leaders to call off the strike here.
Strike is illegal
But the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, declared that the strike is in breach of relevant conditions itemized under section 31(6) of the Trade Union Act, as amended.
Mr. Fagbemi said: “I wish to note that this latest declaration of strike action by organised labour is premature at a time when the Federal Government and other stakeholders involved in the tripartite committee on the determination of a new national minimum wage had not declared an end to negotiation.
“By the Trade Union Dispute Act 2004, NLC and TUC are required to issue mandatory strike notices of a minimum of 15 days.
“It is pertinent to observe that at no time did either NLC or TUC declare a trade dispute with their employees or issue any strike notice as required by law for such strike action to be legitimate and lawful.
“It is not in doubt that the fundamental importance of the 15-day notice is underscored by the fact that both NLC and TUC failed to comply with the statutory condition precedents (dispute resolution procedures) provided for under section 18(b)(a) of the Trade dispute Act 2004, as amended.
“No person, trade union or employer shall take part in a strike or lockout or engage in any conduct in contemplation of any furtherance of trade dispute unless the person, trade union or employer is not engaged in the provision of essential services.”
The AGF also drew the attention of the labour leaders to an Interim Injunction order granted by the National Industrial Court on June 5, 2023, in Suit No: NICN/ABJ/158/23, between the Federal Government of Nigeria & Anor V. Nigerian Labour Congress & Anor, restraining both the NLC and TUC from embarking on any industrial action or strike of any nature.
“Order has neither been stayed nor set aside, therefore it remains binding on the labour unions,” he added, and appealed to the unions to shelve the planned strike and return to the negotiation meetings.
Similarly, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, had expressed the hope that Labour will call off the strike as soon as possible based on the appeal made to them by the leadership of the National Assembly.
He said the Federal Government would continue to pay the N35,000 wage award to all categories of federal workers pending when the new minimum wage issue is resolved.
He continued: “Federal government is more than willing to pay its workforce living minimum wage but the N494,000 demanded for by Labour is too high with attendant N9.5trillion additional financial burden.
“In as much as the federal government wants to improve the welfare and wellbeing of her 1.2 million workers, it’s also very mindful of the welfare and wellbeing of the remaining 200 million people.
“Nigeria cannot afford strike action now. The leadership of the labour unions should please reason with government and appeal made to it by leaders of the National Assembly,”
The Minister further noted that Labour’s demand could destabilise the economy, bring further hardship to over 200 million Nigerians, and cause job loss in the private sector.
He said: “The Federal Government’s new minimum wage proposal amounts to a 100 per cent increase on the existing minimum wage. Labour, however, wanted N494,000, which amounted to 1,547 per cent on the existing wage.
“The sum of N494,000 national minimum wage which Labour is seeking would cumulatively amount to the sum N9.5tn bill to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“Nigerians need to understand that whereas the FG is desirous of ample remuneration for Nigerian workers, what is most critical is that President Tinubu will not encourage any action that could lead to massive job loss, especially in the private sector, who may not be able to pay the wage demanded by the organised labour.”
He argued that although Labour is keen on the take-home pay of about 1.2 million workers, the Federal Government is concerned about the welfare of over 200 million Nigerians based on its guiding principle of affordability, sustainability, and the overall health of the nation’s economy.
We have appealed to the organised labour to shelve the strike action because of the consequences and collateral damage involved.
Labour alliance
In obedience to the directive on Friday to prepare the workers for today’s national strike, many of the workers’ unions already downed tools.
Indeed, the NUEE’s directive to its members nationwide, reads in part: “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.”
The aviation unions a joint statement by the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP), and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), yesterday, announced that they will shut down operations across all airports in the country in compliance with the indefinite nationwide strike declared by the NLC.
The unions said they would down tools from Monday 12 a.m. in all the airports in a statement signed by General Gecretary NUATE, Ocheme Aba; Deputy General Secretary ATSSSAN, Frances Akinjole; Secretary General ANAP, Abdul Rasaq Saidu; and General Secretary, NAAPE Olayinka Abioye.
The joint statement reads in part: “In compliance with the directive from our labour —Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria—we hereby inform the general public, aviation service providers, airline operators, aviation businesses and all aviation workers nationwide that starting from 0000hrs of June 3, 2024, all services at all Nigerian airports shall be fully withdrawn till further notice.”
Earlier, 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); and the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), had already issued statements on joining the strike.
Same thing with the 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); and the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU).
Others including the 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 the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC).
Academic activities are equally grounded as the National officers of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), also joined the action.
PENGASSAN in a letter to its members titled: “Directive to Embark on a Nationwide Strike,” said: “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 exceptions are the personnel manning for safety.”
Similarly, the NUBIFIE informed its members in a statement: “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.”
Meanwhile many well-meaning organisatiuons and stakeholders have appealed to the workers to return to the negotiating table in the interest of the people and country.
