Nigeria grapples with a nationwide strike as the government pleads with labor unions to lay down their tools and return to work. The work stoppage, triggered by a dispute over minimum wage, has crippled various sectors, with reports of power cuts, hospital shutdowns, flight cancelations, and disrupted water supplies.
In a bid to end the impasse, the government, through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, acknowledged the grievances raised by labor unions. However, they stressed the importance of dialogue to reach a solution that benefits all parties.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) is firmly committed to doing what is right, reasonable and sustainable regarding these minimum wage negotiations. We call on the labour unions to reciprocate this gesture in the interest of the nation,” Idris stated at a press briefing on Monday.
The labor unions, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) met with officials last night where Minister Idris expressed concern about the strike’s detrimental impact on the economy and the daily lives of Nigerians. Resolutions were reached, but the NLC said the strike continues, defying appeals from various groups to call off the industrial action.
NLC President Joe Ajaero appreciated Nigerian workers for their “solidarity” on the first day of the strike, urging them to also come out in their numbers as the “struggle” enters its second day.
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
