The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) said they decided to suspend their nationwide strike for one week to foster a conducive environment for ongoing negotiations with the Federal Government over a new national minimum wage.
This decision was made at the end of an emergency National Executive Council meeting held on Tuesday.
According to a communiqué signed by NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero and TUC President Comrade Festus Osifo, the suspension aims to allow the Federal Government to make a concrete and acceptable commitment to raising the national minimum wage.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Federal Government team agreed to increase its N60,000 minimum wage offer following discussions with labour leaders. The labour unions initiated the strike on Monday after negotiations with the government’s tripartite committee broke down, leading to widespread disruptions in economic activities across the nation.
The communiqué emphasized the importance of creating the right ambience for negotiations to continue without hindrance. “We have decided to suspend the nationwide strike for one week to allow for a conducive environment for negotiations and to enable the Federal Government to commit to a concrete and acceptable national minimum wage,” the statement read.
The nationwide strike had significantly impacted economic activities, underscoring the urgency for a resolution to the minimum wage dispute.
The communique reads: “The NEC in session resolved that there is a greater need to create the right ambience for negotiation to continue unhindered. The indefinite nationwide strike action is therefore relaxed for One Week from today to allow the Federal Government commit to a concrete and acceptable National Minimum Wage; take definitive steps to reverse the electricity tariff hike back to N66/kwh and abolish the discriminatory classification of electricity consumers into Bands.
“The NLC and TUC National Leadership are mandated to continue to maintain open channels of communication with the Federal Government to negotiate and secure favourable outcomes for Nigerian workers and people.
“All affiliate unions and State Councils are therefore directed to Relax the indefinite nationwide strike and return to their respective workplaces immediately.
“The NEC-in-Session expresses profound gratitude to Nigerian workers and the general public for their unwavering support and solidarity in this critical struggle for improved living and working conditions.
“The NLC and TUC remain committed to pursuing all necessary actions to protect the rights and welfare of all Nigerian people and workers as we urge all to await further directives while the negotiation continues.”