Major Labor Unions in Nigeria Launch Indefinite Strike Over Workers’ Rights

On October 3rd, an indefinite strike by the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress would begin.

This came after the union’s leadership conducted a joint press conference on Tuesday (today) in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

The strike is being held due to the “failure” of the government to put policies into place that would lessen the pain of Nigerians after the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit was removed.

The unions also requested that their state branches organise for nationwide protests.

It was learned that the two labour centres’ leaders had come to an agreement over the issues that had caused just the NLC and not the TUC to go on a two-day warning strike.

According to the notice of meeting signed by the NLC Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, the meeting is holding virtually.

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.

On Tuesday, September 5 and Wednesday 6, 2023, NLC embarked on a two-day warning strike to force the government to address the mass suffering of Nigerians, especially workers.

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.”

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.