Ebun Francis|
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has mobilised workers across the country to embark on a warning strike from Thursday.
Organised labour earlier this month issued a two week ultimatum to press home its demand for a new minimum wage following unproductive talks with the federal government’s tripartite committee on the matter.
Minister of labour, Chris Ngige in his response to the ultimatum said that organised labour leadership was blackmailing the government.
In apparent preparation for a show down with government, Peter Ozo-Eson, general secretary of NLC, in a statement has directed all industrial unions in the country and state councils to begin the mobilisation of their members ahead of the strike.
The statement read: “This is to inform you that the organised labour shall commence a nationwide warning strike in respect of the non-implementation of the National Minimum Wage effective midnight of Wednesday, September 26, 2018.
“All industrial unions and all state councils are to commence mobilisation immediately for an effective strike action nationwide. A formal notification letter will be sent later in the day.”
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has also confirmed that the strike will proceed as scheduled following the expiration of the ultimatum.
Musa-Lawal Ozigi, TUC secretary-general, said the decision to embark on strike was sequel to the resolution of the central working committee (CWC) of TUC.
He said, “Strike is hereby declared to commence from early hours of Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018.”