The Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR) has called on organized labor to immediately mobilize and declare a nationwide strike in response to issues surrounding the minimum wage and the recent increase in electricity tariffs.
According to CDWR, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) should take the next step in their minimum wage struggle by declaring and widely mobilizing for a 48-hour general strike and mass protest.
They demand a minimum wage of no less than N200,000 and the reversal of what they describe as anti-poor policies, including privatization, deregulation, subsidy removal, and the electricity tariff hike.
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Chinedu Bosah, the National Publicity Secretary of CDWR, recalled that the NLC and TUC have been in conflict with both the government and private sector over a new minimum wage. Negotiations have been deadlocked for over three weeks, with the government and private sector insisting on paying N60,000. This stalemate led to the declaration of an indefinite strike starting on June 3, 2024, which was suspended on June 4, 2024.
“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,” the group stated.
Bosah emphasized the need for grassroots organization to build support for the struggle and ensure that trade unions have leaders who take their responsibilities seriously.
“Amongst the immediate demands should be the call for the inclusion of a demand that the minimum wage be automatically adjusted in line with the rate of inflation and rising cost of living. Minimum wage need not wait for four or five years before adjustment,” Bosah added.
However, Bosah noted that a serious struggle would be required to force the capitalist elite to agree to and implement these changes, as they may attempt to retract any concessions made.
