There are strong indications that Organized Labour might initiate a nationwide strike starting Monday, June 3, over a new minimum wage. The tripartite committee on the new national minimum wage (NNMW) is reconvening today, after abruptly adjourning last week when labour representatives walked out, accusing government negotiators of being unserious.

There are allegations that state governors are conspiring to obstruct the ongoing negotiations with the Federal Government. The labour negotiating team walked out of the committee meeting on Tuesday for the second time in two weeks, after the Federal Government marginally increased its offer to N60,000 from N57,000, which was offered on May 22. Previously, on May 15, labour representatives walked out when the government proposed N48,000 and the Organized Private Sector (OPS) offered N54,000, against labour’s demand of N615,000.

Sources within organized labour indicate that a nationwide strike may commence on Monday, contingent on the outcome of today's meeting. Labour unions, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), are already mobilizing for the potential strike.

A labour leader, speaking anonymously, stated: “The outcome of today’s meeting will determine our next steps. If the meeting is fruitful, it benefits everyone. But if the government’s team continues its indifferent attitude towards workers’ welfare, we will go on strike starting Monday. We have been mobilizing for this strike. Everyone is aware that the one-month ultimatum we gave the government to conclude negotiations on the new national minimum wage ends today. We have shown patience despite the hardship and suffering caused by the government’s anti-poor policies. The old Minimum Wage Act ceased to exist on April 18, giving us over six months to work on a new wage. However, the government has not taken workers' issues seriously. Nigerians can attest to our patience. If the government wants to avoid a strike, its negotiators must present a reasonable offer that meets workers' expectations, or else a strike will be inevitable starting Monday.”