NLC threatens nationwide action after meeting with FG ends in deadlock

By Joan Nwagwu

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged all its affiliates, state councils and our civil society allies to be alert and start mobilising for possible nationwide action if the federal government fails to address workers demand by October 27.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Benson Upah, Acting General Secretary of the NLC, issued in Abuja on Thursday.

He spoke after a meeting between the Federal Government and organised labour ended without resolution.

According to Upah, the meeting, convened at the Ministry of Labour in Abuja ended in a deadlock.

“Regrettably, the government delegation came unprepared and without the necessary mandates to engage substantively on these issues.

“No concrete commitments were secured, and the outstanding issues remain unresolved.

“However, we urge all affiliates of NLC, all state councils and our civil society allies to be alert and start mobilising for possible action across the nation while we hope that our demands are met by the government,” Upah said.

He said the meeting was adjourned until Oct. 27, at the request of the Minister of Labour to enable the government to assemble relevant ministers and heads of departments and agencies for further discussions.

Upah said the NLC’s demands included a reduction in petrol prices to 2024 levels, renegotiation of the national minimum wage and implementation of agreed tax relief measures.

He added that the demands also included implementation of the Terms of Settlement reached with the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals (JOHESU), as well as the demands of the Joint Public Sector Negotiating Council (JPSNC).

According to him, outstanding issues under the JPSNC demands include peculiar allowances, wage awards and hazard allowances.

He said the NLC remained committed to dialogue but would not accept indefinite delays, adding that its relevant organs would determine the next line of action if no meaningful progress was made at Tuesday’s meeting.

Upah urged Nigerian workers and the general public to remain calm and resolute, expressing hope that the government would address the demands at the next meeting.

He assured workers that the NLC would continue to pursue their interests and those of the masses through all legitimate means.

(NAN)