In a move likely to exacerbate fuel shortages, Nigerian petroleum workers will shut down depots and filling stations starting midnight on Sunday, June 2, 2024.
This action follows directives from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) amid ongoing disputes over minimum wage negotiations.
The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) confirmed their compliance with the NLC’s call for a strike via a statement signed by its General Secretary, Afolabi Olawola.
NUPENG announced the cessation of all operations, including the distribution and marketing of petroleum products.
In response, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejoecha, has pleaded with the NLC to reconsider their strike plans.
Through a statement by her Special Adviser on Media, Emameh Gabriel, Onyejoecha warned that a strike amidst negotiations would worsen the plight of millions of Nigerians struggling with economic hardships.
Onyejoecha emphasised that the government remains committed to fair negotiations. She highlighted the government’s proposals, which include a wage increase to N60,000 for federal workers, the introduction of CNG-fueled buses, and enhanced financial access for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
The minister noted planned investments in critical sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, education, and healthcare.
She therefore cautioned that implementing a new minimum wage without thorough consideration could lead to widespread job losses, particularly within the Organised Private Sector, which employs the majority of the country’s workforce.
