Breaking: Labour Leaders Slam Government, Announce 48-Hour Strike Amid Minimum Wage Crisis!

The Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR) has called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to immediately mobilize and declare a nationwide strike over the delayed minimum wage and the recent hike in electricity tariffs……CONTINUE READING

CDWR has urged the organized labour to initiate a 48-hour general strike and mass protest to demand a minimum wage of at least N200,000 and the reversal of anti-poor policies such as privatization, deregulation, subsidy removal, and the hike in electricity tariffs.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chinedu Bosah, CDWR expressed frustration over the ongoing deadlock in minimum wage negotiations, which have persisted for over three weeks. The government’s and private sector’s insistence on paying only N60,000 prompted an indefinite strike starting June 3, 2024, which was suspended the following day.

Bosah criticized the labour leadership for suspending actions without a concrete plan, highlighting that many principal leaders attended the International Labour Organisation (ILO) meetings in Switzerland instead. This is the second instance this year where labour leadership has suspended actions, previously issuing a 2-week ultimatum following the suspension of a nationwide protest on February 28, 2024.

The strike on June 3, 2024, was notably effective, shutting down major sectors of the economy including sea, airport, and electricity operations. However, labour leaders failed to capitalize on the momentum, allowing the capitalist ruling elite more time to maneuver.

CDWR stressed the importance of wage increases, condemning the capitalist system for perpetuating poverty wages and emphasizing the necessity of a living wage. Despite the outdated N30,000 minimum wage not being implemented in some states, such as Zamfara State, CDWR emphasized the urgency of resisting anti-people policies amid rising living costs and inflation rates.

The statement highlighted the extravagant spending of the government, such as the National Assembly’s expenditure of N57.6 billion on SUVs, contrasting it with the dire economic conditions faced by Nigerians. CDWR argued that the economic crisis is a result of the capitalist system and the exploitation of working people, advocating for the trade union movement to demand better wages and resist anti-poor policies.

CDWR cited the recent successful mass protest in Kenya, which forced the government to withdraw an IMF/World Bank-inspired tax increment policy, as an example for Nigerian workers to follow. They called on the NLC and TUC to mobilize for a 48-hour general strike and mass protest to demand a higher minimum wage and the reversal of anti-poor policies.

Additionally, CDWR urged the trade union leaders to include a demand for automatic wage adjustments in line with inflation and living costs, to avoid prolonged negotiations and ensure wages do not lag behind inflation.

The statement concluded by emphasizing the need for a pan-Nigerian democratic and working people’s political party with a socialist program to defeat the self-serving capitalist ruling elite and plan the economy for the benefit of the majority.