As the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) continues to negotiate with the Federal Government over a proposed minimum wage, Nigerians have taken to social media to express their concerns about the potential impact of a strike action on the national grid.
The NLC has rejected the government’s offers of ₦62,000 or ₦100,000 as the new minimum wage, with Assistant General Secretary Chris Onyeka describing these figures as a “starvation wage.”
The labour union has instead demanded a ₦250,000 minimum wage, which Onyeka believes is a reasonable concession to the government and other stakeholders.
With the deadline for a response from the government expiring on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, Nigerians have been urging the NLC not to disrupt the national grid during any potential strike action.
This sentiment is fueled by the recent nationwide power outage, which left many without electricity for extended periods.
Some Nigerians have taken to social media to appeal to the NLC to spare the national grid, citing the potential impact on essential services and the need to maintain public support.
“Do not touch the national grid. Please, I am begging you,” tweeted @TaoFeek182.
Another user, @Ishow_leck, echoed this sentiment, stating that while the NLC can do whatever it wants, it should keep off from the power grid.However, not all Nigerians are opposed to a strike.
Some have called for the NLC to shut down the national grid, arguing that it will bring attention to their demands and force the government to listen.
“Shut down the national grid,” wrote @Emmanuelkalu546. Others have suggested that the NLC should target specific industries, such as airports, banks, and train stations, in order to minimize disruption to essential services.
Overall, the debate on social media reflects the complex and multifaceted nature of the minimum wage negotiations in Nigeria.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the NLC will respond to public pressure and how the government will respond to their demands.
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