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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has accused the Federal Government of delaying negotiations regarding post-subsidy palliatives for workers, which has exacerbated the country’s hardships. In response to what they see as the government’s inaction, the organized labor plans to hold an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting to decide on their next steps.

The NEC includes presidents, general secretaries, and treasurers of all NLC affiliate unions, state chairpersons and secretaries of NLC state councils, the chairperson of the NLC Youth Committee, and members of the National Administrative Council.

Sources within the NLC have hinted that drastic actions might be taken to compel the government to resume negotiations. The NLC had previously conducted a two-day warning strike in early September, with an indefinite strike looming as they pressed for their demands.

The 21-day ultimatum issued by the NLC expired recently, leading to the scheduling of an emergency NEC meeting. The notice of the meeting, dated September 22, 2023, urged the presidents, general secretaries, and treasurers of its affiliates to attend the virtual session, emphasizing its importance.

Various state chapters of the NLC have indicated their readiness to mobilize members for a strike if the NEC decides to go ahead with one.

The NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have been demanding wage awards, the implementation of palliatives, tax exemptions, and allowances for public sector workers, as well as a review of the minimum wage.

President Bola Tinubu had established the Presidential Steering Committee and sub-committees in June to discuss the framework for palliatives. However, the process has faced delays, with no action taken even after the eight-week timeframe initially set for its conclusion expired in August.

The National President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, complained that none of the demands presented to the Federal Government had been addressed.

A top NLC official noted that the government had been given ample time to act, emphasizing that it had been four months since the fuel subsidy was removed without any substantial government action to alleviate workers’ difficulties.

While the NLC has not altered its stance on its demands, the NEC meeting will determine the next course of action. The official urged those opposed to a possible strike to pressure the government to meet the people’s needs.

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) is also awaiting feedback from the Federal Government following recent negotiations on post-subsidy removal issues. The TUC had highlighted the difficulties faced by workers during a meeting with the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong.

The minister had mentioned that President Bola Tinubu was briefed on the issues raised by organized labor before leaving for the United Nations General Assembly. The TUC expects to receive feedback after the president’s return.

The Minister of Information, Idris Mohammed, assured that engagement was ongoing, while the labor unions wait for concrete progress.

Ahead of the crucial NEC meeting, various state chapters of the NLC, including Katsina, Niger, Kwara, and Zamfara, expressed their readiness to participate in the meeting and take action based on its outcomes. However, the specific course of action will be determined after the meeting concludes.

Wage award
Meanwhile, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, has assured Nigerian workers that the government will soon conclude the issue of wage award.

The minister also appealed to the NLC not to embark on its planned strike, and allow government work to resolve all pending issues.

This is as the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, thanked the minister for securing the release of some of its members, who were arrested two weeks ago by government agents.

Speaking when he received Alhaji Ibikunle Baruwa, who led a team of four members of the NURTW on a thank-you visit to his office, Lalong appreciated the visit and sued for peace between the two factions of the NURTW.
A statement issued in Abuja Monday by Director, Press and Public Relations Unit, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Olajide Oshundun, stated that, “He (Lalong) maintained that industrial harmony remains key to the socio-economic development of any nation, and urged the Union to work in synergy with the Federal Government in moving the country forward.

“Lalong noted that securing the release of the detained NURTW members was one of the demands of NLC at last week’s meeting between the Congress and the Ministers of Labour and Employment.

“He assured them that the processes leading to the fulfilment of the other requests of the NLC, especially wage award, were on course, and would be concluded soon.

“The minister therefore called on the NLC not to embark on their planned strike, and allow government work to resolve all pending issues.”