The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have resolved to ground activities nationwide from 3rd October, following what they described as the “failure” of government to successfully implement policies to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians following the removal of the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
During a National Executive Council meeting of the NLC, held on Zoom on Tuesday, its National President, Comrade Joe Ajaero told his colleagues that the joint meeting with the TUC resolved that the two bodies work together to make their stance known to the government.
A source, who was present at the meeting, said that some members of the NLC initially objected to the congress 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”, the source said.
The 21-day ultimatum given by the NLC ended last week with Ajaero complaining that “none of the demands put before the Federal Government had been addressed”.
NLC observed a two-day nationwide warning strike on 5th and 6th September 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.
On 19th June, President Bola Tinubu set up the Presidential Steering Committee and various sub-committees to discuss the framework to be adopted on the palliatives.
Although the Federal Government 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.
