The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have said there is no going back on  the May 31, 2024 ultimatum to the Federal Government to meet all the demands of Labour which includes implementation of a new national minimum wage and reversal of the hike in electricity tariff.

Failure to comply by the federal government, Labour officials said they will shut down the nation.

This was disclosed after an emergency meeting on Monday in which the National Executive Councils (NEC) of the NLC and TUC.

Political Economist NG reports that Labour had earlier walked on the Federal Government during a meeting to agree on a minimum wage for workers.

Among the issues discussed by the labour leaders at the emergency meeting  was the non-compliance with the 2019 National Minimum wage Act by some state governments.

In the resolution jointly signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero and TUC leader Festus Osifo, the labour unions also directed their members in Anambra State to mobilise for an industrial action in the event that the state government did not meet the demands of workers by May 23, 2024.

“The NEC acknowledges the ongoing negotiations between the NLC/TUC, the Organised Private Sector (OPS) and the federal government regarding the new national minimum wage. While appreciating the efforts made thus far, the NEC emphasizes the urgency of reaching a fair and equitable agreement that reflects the true value of Nigerian workers’ contributions to the nation’s development and the current crisis of survival facing Nigerians as a result of government’s policies.

“The NEC affirms its commitment to ensuring that the interests and welfare of workers are adequately protected in the negotiation process. The NEC-in-session therefore reiterates the ultimatum issued by the NLC and TUC to the federal government, which expires on the last day of this month.

“It emphasizes the non-negotiable nature of the demands put forth by Nigerian workers and urges the government to prioritize the resolution of these issues in the best interest of industrial peace.

“NEC-in-session further directed all state Councils whose state Governments are yet to fully implement the N30,000 (Thirty-thousand Naira) National Minimum Wage and its consequential adjustments to issue immediately a joint two-week ultimatum to the culpable state Governments to avert industrial action.

“Consequently, the NEC-in-session accordingly reaffirms the NLC and TUC joint ultimatum earlier issued the Anambra state government by its Anambra state councils. It therefore directed all affiliates and workers in the state council to mobilize their members to ensure a successful action in the event the state government fails to meet the demands of workers by Thursday, the 23rd of May, 2024,” the communique said.