Industrial Action: Labour Extend Ultimatum After Talks With Government Fail to Reach Agreement

Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) don threaten to continue with their planned nationwide action after their latest meeting with Federal Government over workers welfare and economic hardship end without agreement.

The meeting wey dem hold for Ministry of Labour for Abuja on Thursday end without agreement. Organised labour accuse the government delegation say dem come the meeting without the authority wey dem need to negotiate workers’ demands.

For one joint statement wey NLC Acting General Secretary, Benson Upah, and TUC Secretary-General, Nuhu Toro, sign, the unions talk say, “E pain us say the government delegation come unprepared and without the necessary approval to properly discuss these issues.”

Dem add say, “Dem no reach any concrete agreement, and the issues wey remain still never get solution.”

The unions’ demands include make government reduce petrol price go back to the 2024 level, renegotiate the national minimum wage and implement the tax relief measures wey dem don already agree on.

Dem also want government to settle outstanding issues wey concern health workers and other public servants, including special allowances, wage awards and hazard allowances.

The unions talk say the Minister of Labour ask make dem postpone the meeting till Tuesday, October 27, so government go fit prepare for further discussions and bring the relevant ministers and government officials come the meeting.

Organised labour say dem still believe in dialogue, but dem no go accept make government continue to delay action on workers’ concerns without any clear timeline.

Dem urge their affiliate unions, state councils and civil society allies to begin mobilising for possible nationwide action as dem dey wait for the next meeting.

NLC and TUC talk say wetin dem go do next go depend on the outcome of the talks. This mean say industrial action fit happen if government fail to make meaningful progress.

The disagreement happen as Nigerians dey worry about the increasing cost of living and how much workers’ salaries fit buy, following the recent economic reforms.