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On Friday, the organized labor, consisting of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, decided to boycott an emergency meeting with the Federal Government that had been scheduled for 3 pm at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The Federal Government had convened this meeting in the Conference Room of the Office of the President’s Chief of Staff in an effort to dissuade the labor movement from its planned nationwide strike starting on Tuesday, October 3, 2023.

On September 26, both the NLC and TUC had announced their intentions to initiate an indefinite strike on October 3, protesting the cost of living crisis following the removal of petrol subsidies by President Bola Tinubu during his inauguration on May 29, 2023. The unions also instructed their state chapters and affiliates to prepare for the shutdown of vital facilities and infrastructure such as airports, seaports, electricity grids, and fuel supply across the nation.

Despite numerous unsuccessful negotiations, the Federal Government, after the National Economic Council meeting on Thursday, appealed to the unions to continue discussions, cautioning that an indefinite strike could have dire consequences for the economy. Although the government initially set the meeting for noon, it was delayed until 3 pm to allow labor leaders to communicate with their members outside Abuja.

Reports indicate that the government extended the meeting invitation through the Ministry of Labour and Employment on Friday morning. However, by 4 pm, the Conference Room remained empty, with the labor representatives yet to arrive. Additionally, the Minister of Labour, Simon Lalong, was seen in the office of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

An anonymous source, speaking in confidence, stated to Saturday PUNCH, “The representatives of labor were expected to be here by now. We have been anticipating their arrival. The venue is prepared, and the Chief of Staff and Labor Minister are waiting upstairs.”

At approximately 5 pm, Gbajabiamila was spotted leaving the Villa premises, reportedly en route to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to welcome President Tinubu, who was returning from Paris. On Friday, The PUNCH reported that Tommy Etim, the National Deputy President of the TUC, criticized what he perceived as the Federal Government’s attempts to pressure organized labor into canceling their planned nationwide strike starting on Tuesday, using legal means.

Etim asserted that labor leaders would not yield to government threats and were prepared to face imprisonment in their pursuit of better conditions for Nigerian workers. Etim’s comments followed the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, warning that the proposed strike violated an existing court order prohibiting the unions from declaring industrial action.

Efforts to contact labor leaders to ascertain their reasons for boycotting the meeting with government officials were unsuccessful as they could not be reached by phone.

Since the inception of his administration, labor unions have protested against Tinubu’s decision to abolish the long-standing subsidy that had kept fuel prices low but drained government finances.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated in an interview on Thursday that the government was actively engaging with labor and remained hopeful that these discussions would lead to a successful resolution of the issues, thus averting a strike, which he stressed would not be in anyone’s best interest.

Furthermore, various groups, including the Association of Nigeria, the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, and the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals, have expressed their intention to participate in Tuesday’s strike organized by labor. In a joint notification of the impending strike released by the unions on Friday, they emphasized the dire circumstances that had necessitated this drastic action.

The statement, signed by union representatives, including Frances Akinjole of ATSSSAN, Umoh Ofonime of NAAPE, and Abdulrasaq Saidu of ANAP, highlighted the collective decision of the labor organizations. They directed all Nigerian workers to participate in an indefinite nationwide strike in response to the significant suffering, impoverishment, and hunger resulting from the petrol price hike.

The unions also urged their members to mobilize effectively for the nationwide strike and instructed all branches of their respective organizations to collaborate with the Joint Action Committee and coordinate with the state councils of the NLC and TUC.

Similarly, the National Union of Banks, Insurance, and Financial Institutions’ Employees, on Friday, advised financial institutions not to prevent their employees from participating in the strike. In a communiqué signed by the General Secretary, NUBIFIE, Mohammed Sheikh, it stated that the strike aimed to draw the government’s attention to the dire survival conditions faced by Nigerians, for whom basic survival had become a nightmare.

NUBIFIE explained that the decision to embark on a total strike from Tuesday, October 3, 2023, was reached unanimously by its National Executive Council due to the government’s continued disregard for the peaceful overtures made by the two unions.

The statement further noted, “Regrettably, the Federal Government has displayed no willingness to seek a peaceful resolution to the pressing socio-economic concerns. Instead, it seems poised to behave recklessly, attempting to suppress the valid grievances of a struggling populace.

“A monitoring team will be deployed to ensure adherence; therefore, please take this into consideration.”

ASUP mobilises members

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics announced on Friday its intention to rally its members nationwide in support of the strike. Dr. Anderson Ezeibe, the National President of ASUP, confirmed this during an interview with one of our correspondents in Abuja. In response to whether the union would mobilize its members for the strike, he stated, “Yes, we are affiliated with the NLC. Our members have received instructions to mobilize for the strike in accordance with the NLC’s directive.”

 Falana, Agbakoba advise FG

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, who serves as counsel for the NLC and TUC, has written a letter to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN. In the letter, dated September 29, 2023, Falana responded to a warning letter sent to the NLC and TUC, cautioning them against proceeding with the proposed nationwide strike, as it could be seen as contempt of court.

Falana’s letter acknowledged the government’s ex parte order from the National Industrial Court on June 5, 2023, and the need for negotiations concerning the strike proposed by the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress. While not engaging in a dispute regarding allegations of court order disobedience by Nigerian workers, Falana urged the Federal Government to resume negotiations with the NLC and TUC in the interest of maintaining industrial peace in the country.

Furthermore, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Olisa Agbakoba advised President Tinubu to consider addressing the labor unions’ demands in order to avert the planned strike. Agbakoba proposed that the government should explore options like providing free education from primary to tertiary levels to ease the cost of living challenge for Nigerians. He also suggested the government consider creating a scheme for Nigerians to access crude oil for consumption, selling it to modular refineries at a reduced cost, and exploring other means to alleviate the suffering of the people.

 Cash withdrawal

Saturday PUNCH reported that, despite a general lack of enthusiasm among many citizens regarding the impending labor strike, some individuals flocked to bank branches and Automated Teller Machine (ATM) areas to withdraw cash for the weekend and the upcoming Independence Day public holiday on Monday.

During a visit to a First Bank branch in Ikoyi, Lagos, the banking hall was crowded around 10.40 am on Friday. Many customers expressed frustration as the ATMs outside were not dispensing cash. One customer, Moses Fola, mentioned that he had been waiting at the banking hall since 8 am to obtain a new ATM card to withdraw enough cash to sustain him during the proposed strike period.

Another customer, identified only as Alhaja Aishatu, explained that she operated a Point of Sales business and had come to secure cash supplies, anticipating potential banking issues if the strike proceeded. Aishatu, who owned five shops on Lagos Island, shared that she initially withdrew cash using her ATM card at the outside machine, but it stopped dispensing when it ran out of cash.

At the Access Bank, Awolowo Road 2 branch in Ikoyi, there was a notable crowd at the ATM gallery. One bank customer, who preferred not to disclose his name, revealed that he came to withdraw enough cash to sustain him throughout the strike period. An elderly woman, Mrs. Mayen Kuti, accompanied by a child, also visited to withdraw cash for stocking her home with food during the strike. She said, “I heard the strike will be a shutdown. I just need to prepare. I have a large family.”

A bank employee, unwilling to provide his name due to authorization restrictions, mentioned that the ATMs had been loaded with more cash than usual between Thursday and Friday. While he couldn’t confirm a direct link to the strike, he acknowledged the increased cash withdrawals in the last two days and mentioned his own preparations for the strike by withdrawing cash.

At the Access Bank branch in the Phase 4 area of Kubwa, Abuja, there was no noticeable surge in activities at the ATM gallery or inside the banking hall.

In Magboro Market, traders reported that buying and selling activities remained unchanged. During a visit to the Sterling Bank at Magboro, there were not many customers at the ATM gallery or inside the banking hall.

In Edo State, queues formed at First Bank, Globus Bank, and UBA branches on the Ring Road, Benin. Customers lined up to use the ATMs, and the First Bank banking hall had a significant number of people. However, some customers explained that the queues were due to the public holiday on Monday rather than the planned strike.

In Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Saturday PUNCH observed no queues at most of the banks they visited.