Less than 24 hours after the commencement of a nationwide indefinite strike, Labour leaders have arrived at the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation for a closed-door meeting with government representatives, a highly placed source informed newsmen on Monday.
“We are also meeting with the government representative in the SGF office today. Already seated awaiting the government representative,” the source said.
The source has yet to mention the names of the government representatives who bid to attend to the labour leaders at the time of filing this report.
Following a meeting that ended in a deadlock as at 12am on Monday, some unions have shut their workplaces to comply with the directive of the two labour unions, NLC and TUC to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike.
On Friday, organised labour announced that they would commence a nationwide indefinite strike due to the refusal of the Federal Government to increase the proposed minimum wage from N60,000 upward.
According to the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, the strike would begin at midnight on Sunday, June 2, 2024.
In a joint statement delivered by Ajaero and his Trade Union Congress counterpart, Festus Osifo, they expressed serious concerns and disappointment over the Federal Government’s failure to finalise and pass a new National Minimum Wage Act into law.
Recall that 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.
Details later…
Credit: PUNCH