💎 Fed’s first rate cut since 2020 set to trigger market. Find undervalued gems with Fair ValueSee Undervalued Stocks

Nigeria sets big jump in minimum wage after strike

Published 11/25/2010, 11:46 AM
Updated 11/25/2010, 11:48 AM

* President acts after unions threaten more strikes

* Many Nigerians live on less than $2 a day

ABUJA, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan will send a bill to parliament more than doubling the minimum wage, meeting union demands after a nationwide strike this month, a senior advisory council said on Thursday.

The main labour unions in Africa's most populous nation launched a brief warning strike two weeks ago to push demands for a big increase in the monthly minimum wage to 18,000 naira ($120) from 7,500 naira.

The strike, which shut banks, schools and parts of the transport system, was suspended on the first day to give the government more time, but the unions threatened further action if their demands were not met.

The council of state -- which includes Jonathan, former presidents, state governors, the central bank governor and key ministers -- said it had agreed that Jonathan should send the bill for approval after "extensive deliberations".

"This puts to rest the labour problem between the federal government and the Nigerian Labour Congress (main union)," Gombe state governor Danjuma Goje told reporters in the capital Abuja after the council meeting.

Widespread industrial action has been rare in the past few years in Nigeria and previous walkouts tended to last only a day or two, in a country where much of the population get by on $2 a day or less and can ill afford to stop work.

The NLC and its sister union the Trade Union Congress represent members across most sectors of sub-Saharan Africa's second-biggest economy and prolonged industrial action has the potential to bring the country to a halt. (For more Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say on the top issues, visit: http://af.reuters.com/ ) (Reporting by Felix Onuah; writing by Nick Tattersall; editing by Tim Pearce)

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.