The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has directed its members to comply with the directive of labour unions to begin an indefinite nationwide strike on Monday, June 3.

NUPENG general secretary, Afolabi Olawale, in a statement on Saturday, said the union was committed to ensuring total compliance with the directive.

Afolabi said the union was concerned and disturbed by the insensitive attitude of the federal government “to the very critical issue of negotiating a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers”.

“This is in view of the various socio-economic policies of this administration that have impoverished the working people of this country.

“Leaders of our great union at all levels, from the units, zones and branches should immediately put all processes in place to ensure total compliance with this directive.”

On Friday, May 31, the organised labour declared a nationwide indefinite strike over the Federal Government’s refusal to raise the proposed minimum wage from N60,000.

In a joint statement signed by NLC President, Joe Ajaero and TUC President, Festus Osifo, the unions declared the strike over the tripartite committee’s inability to agree on a new minimum wage.

They claimed that the strike followed the expiration of an earlier request to the Federal Government to conclude all negotiations for a new minimum wage before the end of May.