Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has urged organized labour to reconsider the nationwide strike planned for Monday.
According to The PUNCH, his appeal came on Saturday after meetings with Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, and members of the Peoples Democratic Party National Working Committee.
Governor Mohammed voiced concerns that the strike could severely damage the economy and worsen the plight of workers.
This follows the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress announcing an indefinite strike on Friday.
The unions are protesting the Federal Government’s refusal to increase the proposed minimum wage from N60,000 and to reverse the recent hike in electricity tariffs.
The organized labour had set a May 31 deadline for the National Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Federal Government to rescind the electricity tariff hike.
On April 3, NERC approved a tariff increase for Band A customers—from N66 to N225 per kWh—which sparked widespread public backlash.
The unions equally demanded that the Federal Government finalize the new national minimum wage by May 31. Despite negotiations, the NLC and TUC rejected all proposals, steadfastly demanding N494,000, citing the high cost of living.
Governor Mohammed cautioned that proceeding with the strike could plunge the country into deeper poverty and economic hardship.
“I have always looked forward to ensuring that workers get the best in terms of welfare, in terms of salaries and wages, but it has to be affordable—something that is within the threshold of affordability by all the sub-national and local governments,” Mohammed said.
“Definitely, what the Federal Government will be negotiating, some state governors will not be able to pay. Even at the moment, with the current minimum wage of N30,000, some states are not able to pay.
“I know labour leaders are true leaders. They should consider this because the strike may cripple the economy and further cause pain to workers and all of us. So, we are pleading that we should have a combining point where we can look at our affordability,” he added.
