The Federal Government, through the National Salaries Wages and Income Commission, has extended an invitation to the leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress for a meeting slated for Tuesday 4th June.
However, it is not yet clear if the Labour leaders will attend the meeting.
It was gathered that some unions have shut their workplaces to comply with the directive of the organized labour to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike.
Recall that on Friday 31st May, the two labour unions announced that they will be embarking on a nationwide indefinite strike due to the refusal of the Federal Government to increase the proposed minimum wage from N60,000.
According to the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, the strike will begin at midnight on Sunday, June 2, 2024.
Meanwhile, in a joint statement delivered by Ajaero and his Trade Union Congress counterpart, Festus Osifo, they expressed their serious concerns and disappointment over the Federal Government’s failure to finalize and pass a new National Minimum Wage Act into law.
They also demanded that the government reverse the increase in electricity tariff to N65/kWh.
Earlier, both unions had given an ultimatum of May 31, 2024, for negotiations on the new minimum wage.
However, talks between organised labour and the Federal Government broke down on Tuesday after both parties presented their offers.
The government increased its initial offer of N57,000 by adding N3,000 to make it N60,000. ,
This proposal was rejected by labour during the meeting.
During negotiations at this meeting, labour also lowered their demand from last week’s proposal of N497,000 by removing N3,00 which reduced their new proposal to N494,000.
