The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) have intensified their dispute with the Federal Government by issuing a 14-day ultimatum for a nationwide strike.
This significant action has been taken due to the government’s failure to uphold the 16-point agreement reached with organized labour on October 2, 2023.
In expressing their frustration, leaders of the NLC and TUC have criticized the government’s apparent indifference to the widespread suffering and hardship experienced by the Nigerian populace, exacerbated by the non-implementation of the agreed terms.
The 14-day notice serves as a final appeal to the government to address the grievances of the labour sector and fulfill its commitments to ensure industrial peace and economic stability.
The October 2 agreement was centered on mitigating the extensive suffering and the overall harsh socioeconomic repercussions of the IMF/World Bank-induced hike in the price of PMS and the devaluation of the naira. These dual policies have, as anticipated, resulted in dire economic consequences for the masses and workers of Nigeria.
In a statement, the NLC and TUC lamented that “it is regrettable that we are compelled to resort to such measures, but the persistent neglect of the welfare of citizens and Nigerian workers and the massive hardship leave us with no choice.”
Effective February 9 (tomorrow), among other measures, the two Labour Centres stated, “Constrained by this development and recognizing the urgency of the situation and the imperative of ensuring the protection and defense of the rights and dignity of Nigerian workers and citizens, the NLC and TUC hereby issue a stern ultimatum to the Federal Government to honor their part of the understanding within 14 days from tomorrow, the 9th day of February 2024.”
