NLC and TUC Reinforce May 31 Deadline for Minimum Wage and Electricity Tariff Reversal

 

                                                                                                      Photo credit: @NLCHeadquarters Source: X

Nigerian labor unions have issued a firm deadline for the federal government to finalize discussions on the minimum wage and reverse the recent electricity tariff increase.

As the federal government’s Tripartite Committee on Minimum Wage continues its negotiations, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have reiterated their ultimatum for the process to conclude by May 31, 2024. Additionally, the labor unions have reaffirmed their demand for the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the federal government to roll back the electricity tariff hike by the same deadline, warning of potential industrial action if their demands are not met.

These resolutions were established during a joint National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the NLC and TUC held on Monday in Abuja. In a communiqué jointly signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero and TUC President Festus Osifo, the unions highlighted the urgent national issues impacting Nigerian workers, including the recent electricity tariff increase, the ongoing minimum wage negotiations, and non-compliance with the 2019 National Minimum Wage Act by some state governments.

The labor movement, while acknowledging the progress made in the minimum wage negotiations, emphasized the need for a swift and fair agreement that accurately reflects the contributions of Nigerian workers and addresses the survival challenges posed by current government policies.

The unions criticized the federal government for its apparent lack of commitment to concluding the new national minimum wage process promptly. They pointed out that the government’s failure to adhere to the 2019 National Minimum Wage Act by not constituting the Tripartite National Minimum Wage Negotiating Committee within the required timeframe is indicative of this lack of seriousness.

According to the communiqué, “The NEC affirms its commitment to ensuring that the interests and welfare of workers are adequately protected in the negotiation process. The NEC-in-session therefore reiterates the ultimatum issued by the NLC and TUC to the federal government, which expires on the last day of this month. It emphasizes the non-negotiable nature of the demands put forth by Nigerian workers and urges the government to prioritize the resolution of these issues in the best interest of industrial peace.”

The unions expressed disappointment that the nationwide picketing of NERC offices and Discos to protest the illegal electricity tariff hike did not yield the desired result. Consequently, the labor centers resolved that if the government fails to meet their demands within the stipulated timeframe, the NEC authorizes the leadership of the NLC and TUC to mobilize workers for peaceful protests and industrial actions to press for social justice and workers’ rights.

Furthermore, the NLC and TUC have instructed all State Councils where state governments have not fully implemented the N30,000 National Minimum Wage and its consequential adjustments to issue a joint two-week ultimatum to those state governments to avert industrial action.

The unions also reaffirmed the ultimatum previously issued to the Anambra state government by their Anambra State councils, directing all affiliates and workers in the state to mobilize for potential action if the state government fails to meet workers’ demands by May 23, 2024.