ABUJA, Nigeria — The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have resolved to embark on a nationwide strike starting October 3, 2023.
Sources privy to the matter said the two sides after their separate organs’ meetings, commenced a joint press briefing at 3 p.m. on Tuesday to announce an indefinite nationwide strike following the Federal Government’s failure to address the suffering and other socioeconomic hardships occasioned by the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol.
Sources reveal the decision was reached during a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the NLC held Tuesday on Zoom. NLC President, Joe Ajaero informed members that both labour centres agreed to collaborate on the strike action.
The planned October 3 strike will ground economic activities across the country. This comes after the NLC’s 21-day ultimatum to the FG elapsed last week with none of the demands, including wage reviews and palliatives met.
Labour is demanding implementation of tax exemptions, allowances and other palliatives for workers as agreed in negotiations with the government.
The FG had set up a steering committee and sub-committees to provide a framework for engagement on palliatives within 8 weeks but failed to conclude discussions before the timeframe lapsed in August.
This angered labour leaders who say government has not shown commitment despite initial pledges when petrol subsidy was removed.
The nationwide strike will pile more pressure on the FG to urgently roll out palliatives for citizens as the economic crunch bites harder.
Earlier, the NLC and TUC observed a 2-day warning strike on September 5 and 6 to signal their readiness to push for palliatives and better welfare for workers.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong has appealed to the NLC leadership to shelve the planned strike, assuring them that the Federal Government is determined to address the concerns raised.
The minister also noted that one of the major demands of the NLC in their last meeting has been met, which has to do with the release of the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Road Transport workers.
A statement signed by the spokesman of the spokesman of the ministry’s Olajide Oshundu, urged the workers’ unions to give the government a little more time to address other issues.