As of Tuesday, June 4, Nigeria’s nationwide strike persists, intensifying pressures on Bola Tinubu’s administration. Initiated by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the strike action began on Monday in protest against new wage scales and increased electricity tariffs for certain consumers.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has entered the fray, advocating for the establishment of a N120,000 minimum wage, positioning itself as a champion for labor. The party argues that the current government has no valid reason to deny such a wage, highlighting governmental expenditure as evidence of available funds.
SEE ALSO: Tinubu’s Government and Labour Leaders Reach Agreement to End Minimum Wage Strike
In contrast, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) proposes a minimum wage of N60,000, half of what the PDP suggests. The APC accuses the PDP of being unpatriotic by inciting the labor unions against the government. Their spokesperson critiqued the opposition’s stance, suggesting that had the PDP been in power, the situation might have been more dire.
Late Monday, discussions between the government and organized labor led to a tentative agreement on setting a new minimum wage above N60,000. However, the specifics of the strike’s duration and the electricity tariff adjustments were not disclosed.
Despite announcements of an agreement, the NLC maintains that the strike is ongoing. They plan to continue until a conclusive resolution is reached in a scheduled meeting.
