In a recent statement, a group under the aegis of the Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR) has called on Organized Labour to mobilize and declare a nationwide strike, as reported by DAILY POST.
This demand is in response to the ongoing issues surrounding the minimum wage and the recent hike in electricity tariffs.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Chinedu Bosah, the group highlighted the continuous issues between organized labour and the government, as well as the private sector, regarding the new minimum wage.
Negotiations have been deadlocked for over the past three weeks.
The government and private sector’s insistence on paying a minimum wage of N60,000 led to the declaration of an indefinite strike starting on June 3rd, 2024, which was suspended on June 4th, 2024.
CDWR is now urging the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) to declare a 48-hour general strike and mass protest.
They are demanding a minimum wage of not less than N200,000 and the reversal of all anti-poor policies.
CDWR calls on the leadership of NLC and TUC to mobilize widely for the 48-hour general strike and mass protest.
They demand a minimum wage not less than N200,000 and the reversal of all anti-poor policies, including privatization, deregulation, and subsidy removal.
The group underlined the need for serious mobilization at the grassroots level to build support for the struggle.
They also highlighted the importance of having union leaders who take their responsibilities seriously.
Among the immediate demands, CDWR insists that the minimum wage should be automatically adjusted in line with inflation and the rising cost of living.
They argue that wages should not wait for four or five years before being adjusted.
The group added that declaring the strike could prevent prolonged negotiations and ensure wages do not fall behind the inflation rate and poverty line.
“The mass protest of mostly young people has just forced the Ruto-led government in Kenya to withdraw the IMF/World Bank-inspired tax increment policy. This example shows that it is also possible for Nigerian working people and youth to force the Tinubu-led government to reverse the prices of petroleum products, electricity tariffs, fee hikes in public schools, and all other neo-liberal capitalist policies, policies which would give some immediate respite to most Nigerians.”
“We should add that it will require a serious struggle to force the capitalist elite to agree to this and actually implement it as they will try to take back any concessions they have been forced to make,” they stated.