The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have suspended their industrial action for one week, following a joint extraordinary national executive council meeting in Abuja on Tuesday.
The decision to suspend the strike was confirmed by TUC President Festus Osifo, who stated that the unions have agreed to relax the industrial action for one week with immediate effect. A communique detailing the decision is expected to be issued shortly.
The strike, which began on Monday, was called to protest the hike in electricity tariff and the lack of consensus on a new minimum wage. The industrial action had grounded activities in critical sectors of the economy, including schools, businesses, hospitals, and airports. The national grid was also shut down, leaving the nation in darkness.
The suspension of the strike is seen as a temporary reprieve for the government and citizens, as the labour unions have indicated that they will review the situation next week and decide on the next course of action.
The strike had been widely supported by Nigerians, who are struggling to cope with the rising cost of living and the lack of decent wages. The labour unions have been demanding a new minimum wage of N120,000, which they say is the bare minimum required for workers to survive in the current economic conditions.
The government had offered to pay N60,000, which the labour unions rejected as inadequate. The strike was seen as a last resort by the labour unions, who had been negotiating with the government for months without reaching an agreement.
The suspension of the strike is a welcome development, but the underlying issues remain unresolved. The government and the labour unions must continue to negotiate in good faith to find a lasting solution to the crisis.
