Main labour unions in Nigeria declare indefinite strike over minimum wage dispute

Organised labour unions in Nigeria have declared an indefinite strike from Monday after failing to agree a new minimum wage with the government.

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had on May 1 declared that they would down tools if a new minimum wage is not agreed by the end of the month.

In a joint statement, the unions said, government refused to move forward from the proposed minimum wage for workers.

They said that government representatives did not show up for a meeting on Friday to discuss the proposal after the unions rejected an earlier plan.
The NLC and TUC stated that the walkout will continue until a new minimum wage is implemented.
Among other key demands is the reversal of the recent increment in electricity tariffs implemented last month.

In April, the electrical regulator raised charges for the wealthiest consumers, who use the most power, as the government attempts to wean the economy off subsidies in order to relieve fiscal pressures.
Nigeria is facing a tough economic downturn, with the inflation rate jumping to the highest level in nearly three decades.

This came after President Bola Tinubu scrapped a costly fuel subsidy and lifted restrictions on currency trading, which further raised petrol prices across the country.

He has vowed to restructure the economy and fight corruption despite repeated attacks from the opposition.