The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have agreed to suspend their nationwide strike following an emergency meeting on Tuesday.
This decision comes after the Federal Government made commitments regarding an acceptable national minimum wage during negotiations with labour leaders.
In a joint communique, NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero and TUC President Comrade Festus Osifo stated that the indefinite strike has been relaxed for one week. This is to “create the right ambience for negotiation to continue unhindered” over setting a new, concrete national minimum wage.
The communique outlines the agreements reached with the Federal Government team, including a reversal of the recent electricity tariff hike back to N66/kWh and the abolishment of the discriminatory classification of electricity consumers into bands.
Labour leadership has been mandated to maintain open communication channels with the government during this one-week period to negotiate favourable outcomes for Nigerian workers and citizens.
All affiliate unions and state councils have been directed to return to work immediately while negotiations proceed based on the initial agreements.
The statement expresses gratitude to Nigerian workers and the public for their “unwavering support and solidarity” during the struggle to improve living and working conditions through this strike action.
The suspension comes after the strike, which began on Monday, crippled economic activities across the country. Talks had previously broken down between labour and the government’s tripartite committee on setting a new national minimum wage, prompting the nationwide walkout.
Both the NLC and TUC have vowed to remain committed to protecting the rights and welfare of all Nigerians and workers, urging the public to await further directives as negotiations continue.
