National Assembly Workers on Monday shut down the complex in compliance with the strike declared by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
The strike, called over a new minimum wage and the recent hike in electricity tariff, has paralysed economic activities across Nigeria. The federal government had initially proposed a minimum wage of N48,000, N54,000, and N60,000 — however, the labour unions insisted on N615,500 and then N494,000, citing high cost of living as reason for the demand.
The national assembly workers under the aegis of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), on Monday, blocked all the gates into the national assembly.
The strike came hours after the leadership of the national assembly made last-ditch attempt to stop labour from proceeding with the strike.
Speaking after the meeting with the leadership of the national assembly, president of TUC, Festus Osifo, said the strike can only be called off after consultations with various labour organs.
“It is difficult and, in fact, impossible for us as labour leaders to call off the strike here.
“We need to communicate with our various organs, meaning that the industrial action starts on Monday as planned”, Osifo said
