The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) may soon embark on a nationwide strike in protest against the persistent insecurity across the country.
The warning was issued by the President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, who spoke on Monday in Geneva, Switzerland, during the ongoing International Labour Conference.
According to Ajaero, the labour movement is deeply concerned about the security situation in Nigeria and may be compelled to take industrial action if urgent steps are not taken to address the challenge.
Beyond security concerns, the NLC and TUC also called on the Federal Government to commence the process of renegotiating the National Minimum Wage ahead of the next review cycle.
The labour centres noted that a new minimum wage is expected to emerge by July next year and urged the government to begin discussions early to ensure a smooth and timely outcome.
They further rejected any move to legislate a new wage structure without broad consultations, insisting that the minimum wage must be determined through negotiations involving all relevant stakeholders.
According to the labour movement, collective bargaining remains the most appropriate mechanism for arriving at an acceptable wage figure that reflects prevailing economic realities and protects the welfare of Nigerian workers.
The twin demands—improved security nationwide and the commencement of minimum wage renegotiations—are expected to feature prominently in engagements between organised labour and the Federal Government in the coming months, as workers’ unions continue to press for reforms aimed at improving the living and working conditions of Nigerians.
