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By John Ogunsemore
Nigerians have appealed to organised labour not to resort to shutting down the national electricity grid again to press home its demand for an improved minimum wage.
On Monday, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) rejected the Federal Government’s offer of N62,000 and N100,000.
In an appearance on Channels Television on Monday, Assistant General Secretary of NLC, Chris Onyeka noted that the union would not negotiate a “starvation wage”.
“Our position is very clear. We have never considered accepting ₦62,000 or any other wage that we know is below what we know can take Nigerian workers home. We will not negotiate a starvation wage,” Onyeka said on The Morning Brief programme.
Organised labour is insisting on N250,000.
On June 4, the NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) suspended for one week the strike they earlier embarked upon after negotiations with the Tripartite Committee on the Minimum Wage broke down.
During the two-day strike, many Nigerian homes and businesses were thrown into darkness after the national grid was shut down by striking electricity workers.
As the one-week suspension expires at midnight on Tuesday, June 11, many Nigerians have taken to social media to call on organised labour not to shutdown the national grid.
An X user @Letter_to_Jack wrote, “Do what you have to, but keep your hands off the National Grid this time. For the sake of some of us who want to watch Euros and other patriotic citizens who care about people in hospitals who need light in ICU. Thanks and God bless.”
@SirDavidBent wrote, “I’m not saying NLC shouldn’t go on strike, but whatever they do, make dem no touch that national grid. Petrol is 750/litre.”
@AyshaHamman said, “I read that the labour unions plan to resume their indefinite strike tomorrow, Tuesday, June 11, 2024, if their demands are not met. Dear @NLCHeadquarters and @OfficialTUCN, please avoid disrupting the national grid. There’s no need to add to the common man’s problems.”
Meanwhile, an investor, Morris Monye said it would be difficult for organised labour not to shutdown the national grid if necessary.
“As much as we don’t want NLC to touch National grid, they will.
“It’s an inconvenience but they will anyways to drive home the point,” he wrote via his @Morris_Monye handle.
