The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have announced the suspension of their industrial action, following a week-long standoff over disagreements regarding a new minimum wage and the recent increase in electricity tariffs.
TUC President, Festus Osifo, confirmed the decision after a joint extraordinary national executive council meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday.
“A joint NEC meeting of TUC/NLC has approved to relax the industrial action for one week with immediate effect,” Osifo stated during an interview with Channels Television.
The unions are expected to issue a communique detailing the terms of the suspension later.
The strike, which commenced on Monday, had paralyzed activities across critical sectors of the economy, including schools, businesses, hospitals, and airports.
Additionally, the national grid was shut down, plunging the nation into darkness.
Labour’s action came after the expiration of the May 31 deadline for reaching an agreement on a new minimum wage.
Despite several rounds of negotiations with the Federal Government, no consensus was reached. Labour rejected three government offers, the latest being N60,000, insisting instead on N494,000 as the new minimum wage.
In a bid to avert further disruption, the Federal Government engaged in extensive discussions with labour leaders, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume, the Minister of Labour and Employment (State) and her Information and National Orientation counterpart Mohammed Idris, TUC’s Osifo, and the President of the NLC Joe Ajaero.
Following the meeting, both parties reached several resolutions, including the government’s commitment to pay above N60,000 and the establishment of regular meetings between the parties.
Additionally, it was agreed that no worker would face victimization as a result of the industrial action.
The suspension of the strike offers a temporary reprieve while negotiations continue in search of a lasting resolution to the wage dispute.