News
Labour Begins Nationwide Strike Monday Over Minimum Wage
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have announced the commencement of an indefinite nationwide strike starting Monday, June 3rd, 2024.
This decision follows unsuccessful negotiations with the government regarding the proposed minimum wage and the recent controversial hike in electricity tariffs.
The negotiations broke down yesterday after the 37-member tripartite committee failed for the seventh time to agree on a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers. The organized labour expressed frustration over the government’s lack of commitment and representation at the meeting.
In response to the strike declaration, the federal government accused the labour unions of walking out of the negotiations and acting prematurely. Another meeting has been scheduled for Monday.
Earlier in the week, the federal government had increased its offer from N57,000 to N60,000. However, the organized labour rejected this proposal, even though they had slightly lowered their demand from N497,000 to N494,000.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, urged the labour unions to be considerate and patriotic in their demands for a new minimum wage. However, the unions remained steadfast, insisting on a living wage that reflects the current economic realities.
At a briefing in Abuja yesterday, NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero and TUC President expressed disappointment over the absence of substantive ministers at the meeting, indicating there was no federal authority to make decisions.
The labour unions criticized the government’s lack of seriousness and apparent disregard for the workers’ demands, citing the absence of key officials at the negotiation meetings as evidence of the government’s disinterest in resolving the minimum wage issue.
ATLANTIC REPORTERS had previously reported that the organized labour issued an ultimatum to the federal government on May 1st, 2024, expressing dissatisfaction with the lack of meaningful progress from the government’s side.
Dangote Refinery has announced that it will need to export 95-97 percent of its Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) due to low interest from Nigerian marketers. The refinery, which processes 650,000 barrels per day, revealed that only 3 to 5 percent of petrol marketers are purchasing its fuel.
Devakumar Edwin, Vice President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, shared these details during an X Space session hosted by Nairametrics on Wednesday. He highlighted the challenges facing both the Dangote Refinery and Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Edwin explained, “I’m selling 2 to 3 percent to small traders who are willing to buy, while the remaining 95 to 97 percent has to be exported,” referring to the local sales of the refinery’s products.
This situation arises as the NNPCL’s deadline for adjusting the Dangote Refinery’s fuel distribution approaches without a clear plan in sight. It is worth noting that while Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group, has announced the refinery’s initial petrol rollout, its distribution to marketers is contingent upon NNPCL’s decisions.
The final sixteen teams for the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia have been determined following the conclusion of the group stage.
In recent matches, Ghana triumphed over New Zealand with a score of 3-1, and Japan secured a 2-0 victory against Austria.
As a result, Japan has advanced to the Round of 16, joining the other 15 teams in this knockout stage.
The Round of 16 matches are scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
The full lineup for the Round of 16 is as follows:
- Spain vs Canada
- Brazil vs Cameroon
- Colombia vs South Korea
- Mexico vs USA
- North Korea vs Austria
- Germany vs Argentina
- Netherlands vs France
- Japan vs Nigeria
The Nigerian Army has refuted claims of widespread resignations among its soldiers due to issues like corruption and low morale.
In a statement, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, dismissed these reports as unfounded.
A news outlet had alleged that numerous Nigerian soldiers were resigning because of corruption and low morale. However, the statement condemned these allegations as misleading and a deliberate attempt to create discontent and undermine the Nigerian Army’s reputation and the dedication of its personnel.
Major General Nwachukwu clarified that, similar to other military organizations worldwide, service in the Nigerian Army is voluntary rather than mandatory. This means that personnel have the freedom to resign following established procedures.
He explained that the resignation process allows personnel to prepare and manage their entitlements, including pensions and gratuities, as outlined in the Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service (Officers/Soldiers).
Contrary to the report’s implications, the statement emphasized that Nigerian Army personnel are highly motivated, and their welfare is a priority under the leadership of Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja.
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