The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has organized a nationwide labor strike in Nigeria starting Thursday, September 27th. This is in response to the Nigerian government dragging their feet on the new minimum wage they promised to the people of Nigeria. The first day of the strike was successful, causing confusion and inefficiency throughout the state. With no foreseeable end to the strike, the government seems forced to cooperate and follow through with their minimum wage promises.
Nigeria has the highest GDP of all African countries at 405.1 billion USD, yet its GDP per capita ranks 17th out of that same list with the average monthly salary clocking in at about $563 USD. While the current minimum wage in Nigeria is about $49.59 USD per month. Compared to the United States where the minimum wage of $1,200 USD per month (assuming 40 hr. work week).
In July the Nigerian government claimed the workers would know the new minimum wage by this August. That deadline came and went without any change and finally, the people are taking action. Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari stated that all workers under the payroll of the federal government would be paid in full, despite the ongoing strikes. But on Thursday, many federal employees found their offices locked and were unable to attend to their jobs. The Accountant-General of the Federation(AGF), Mr Ahmed Idris complains that with their buildings locked they cannot work to create reform to satisfy the labourers.
Labor unions and strikes are not a rare occurrence throughout the centuries, especially in more impoverished nations. There have been 58 recorded strikes around the world since 2010, though none of them at a nationwide level. Russia went through a similar situation back in 1917 and that had major implications across the globe.
Strikes are one of the biggest tools for labor unions to utilize. Strikes can be combated or often settled between the corporation and the union(s). Unions balance the corporations and in this case the government and empower individual workers. Many governments outlaw unions and take the role of the union in relation to the corporation, forcing them to comply with rules and regulations when it comes to their employees.