Percy Onyeka
The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, of Nigeria have declared an indefinite strike starting from October 3. Although on Wednesday the Federal Government says it will engage with the NLC in a bid to avert the planned strike.
The two labour centres have told Nigerians to stockpile foodstuffs because the strike would shut down economic activities in the country.
The President of NLC, Joe Ajaero and the TUC, Festus Osifo disclosed this after their separate Emergency National Executive Council, NEC, meeting in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to the communique read by the two Presidents, the indefinite strike was as a result of the alleged insensitivity of government to the plights of Nigerians as a result of the removal of petrol subsidy and continuous demonstration of unwillingness and complete lack of initiative.
Ajaero noted that it was resolved that the two centres work together to make their stance known to the government.
A source who was present at the meeting noted that some members of the NLC initially objected to the development of the NLC working together with the TUC.
“Initially some members did not want us to work with the TUC but as of now, we don’t have a choice. The government has not been proactive. So, it is going to be a definite action this time around.”
Recall that the 21-day ultimatum given by the NLC ended last week. The national president of the NLC, Joe Ajaero had complained that “none of the demands put before the Federal Government had been addressed.”
The union first observed a two-day nationwide warning strike on September 5 and 6 to show its readiness for the indefinite strike later in the month.
Among other things, the NLC and the TUC are asking for wage awards, implementation of palliatives, tax exemptions and allowances to public sector workers and a review of the minimum wage.
President Bola Tinubu had on June 19 set up the Presidential Steering Committee and various sub-committees to discuss the framework to be adopted on the palliatives.
Though the FG made a commitment to restructure the framework for engagement with organised Labour on palliatives, the eight-week timeframe set for the conclusion of the process expired in August with no action taken.
The committees were given eight weeks to conclude their assignment and hasten the implementation of the framework in cushioning the effect of petrol subsidy removal on Nigerians but weeks after the timeframe expired, the sub-committees had yet to meet or actualise their mandates, leaving the NLC and TUC leadership frustrated.
Techrectory with Agency Report.
