NLC Threatens Nationwide Action Over Unresolved Demands, Gives FG New Deadline

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed its affiliate unions, state councils and civil society allies to begin preparations for possible nationwide action if the federal government fails to resolve workers’ demands by October 27.

The directive followed a meeting between the Federal Government and organised labour in Abuja on Thursday, which ended without an agreement.

In a statement issued in Abuja, the NLC Acting General Secretary, Mr Benson Upah, said the meeting, held at the Ministry of Labour, ended in a deadlock because the government delegation lacked the authority to make concrete commitments.

“Regrettably, the government delegation came unprepared and without the necessary mandates to engage substantively on these issues.

“No concrete commitments were secured, and the outstanding issues remain unresolved.

“However, we urge all affiliates of NLC, all state councils and our civil society allies to be alert and start mobilising for possible action across the nation while we hope that the government meets our demands,” Upah said.

He explained that the meeting was adjourned until October 27 at the request of the Minister of Labour, who sought more time to bring relevant ministers and heads of departments and agencies into the discussions.

Upah listed the congress’s demands as including a reduction in petrol prices to 2024 levels, renegotiation of the national minimum wage, and implementation of agreed tax relief measures.

Other demands, he said, were the implementation of the Terms of Settlement reached with the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals (JOHESU), as well as outstanding issues raised by the Joint Public Sector Negotiating Council (JPSNC).

He identified peculiar allowances, wage awards and hazard allowances as some of the unresolved issues under the JPSNC demands.

The NLC acting general secretary reaffirmed the congress’s commitment to dialogue but warned against prolonged delays, noting that its relevant organs would decide on the next course of action if Tuesday’s meeting failed to produce meaningful progress.

He appealed to Nigerian workers and the public to remain calm and resolute while expressing hope that the government would address the outstanding demands at the next meeting.