The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has accused the Federal Government of prolonging negotiations on post-subsidy palliatives for workers, a situation that has exacerbated the hardships in the country.
In response to the perceived inaction of the government, organised labour is set to convene an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting today (Tuesday), where decisions regarding their future course of action will be made.
The NEC comprises all presidents, general secretaries, treasurers of NLC’s affiliate unions, state chairpersons and secretaries of NLC state councils, the chairperson of the NLC Youth Committee, and members of the National Administrative Council.
A senior NLC official, speaking to one of our correspondents on Monday, hinted that the Congress might resort to drastic measures to compel the Federal Government to return to the negotiation table.
Earlier, the labour union initiated a two-day warning strike on September 5 and 6, in preparation for an indefinite strike to push for their demands.
The 21-day ultimatum issued by the Congress expired last Friday, leading to the scheduling of an emergency NEC meeting for today (Tuesday).
The notification of the meeting, dated September 22, 2023, and signed by the congress’ General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, urged the presidents, general secretaries, and treasurers of its affiliates to participate in the virtual session, stressing its utmost importance.
Leading up to the meeting, state chapters of the NLC have declared their readiness to mobilise members for full participation if the NEC calls for a strike.
Among their demands, the NLC and the Trade Union Congress are requesting wage awards, implementation of palliatives, tax exemptions, and allowances for public sector workers, along with a minimum wage review.
On June 19, President Bola Tinubu established the Presidential Steering Committee and various sub-committees to discuss the framework for palliatives. However, the eight-week timeframe set for the conclusion of the process expired in August with no progress.
The committees were given eight weeks to complete their assignments and expedite the implementation of the framework to alleviate the impact of petrol subsidy removal on Nigerians. However, weeks after the deadline, the sub-committees had not convened or fulfilled their mandates, frustrating the NLC and TUC leadership.
The National President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, lamented that “none of the demands presented to the Federal Government had been addressed.”
An anonymous top NLC official reiterated that the NLC had not altered its stance on the government’s demands. The NEC meeting will determine the course of action, and those opposed to a possible strike are urged to persuade the government to meet the people’s needs.
The source emphasised, “The private sector employers have refused to provide wage awards, insisting that the Federal Government should lead the way. Therefore, they should have asked the Federal Government to lead the way.”
He added, “However, because the employers have refused to pay, they are waiting for the Federal Government, and they are pleased that the Federal Government has not met NLC’s demands.”
Meanwhile, the Trade Union Congress is awaiting feedback from the Federal Government following last week’s post-subsidy removal negotiations.
TUC, led by its National President, Festus Osifo, met with the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, on September 19, expressing concern about the immense pressure faced by workers and the resulting difficulties in their lives.
Lalong, accompanied by the Minister of State, Nkeiruka Onyeajeocha, assured TUC that he had discussed the issues raised by organised labor with President Bola Tinubu before his departure for the United Nations General Assembly in New York. He requested TUC’s patience and emphasised the President’s commitment to addressing labour’s demands.
The National Vice President of the Congress, Tommy Etim, stated that the union is awaiting the outcome of the minister’s discussions with the President.
He said, “As of now, we have not been reached out to, but we are waiting for the outcome of the meeting between the minister and the president. We have been assured that we will get feedback.”
Regarding the government’s efforts to meet the unions’ demands, the Minister of Information, Idris Mohammed, simply stated, “Engagement is still ongoing.”
As the crucial NEC meeting approaches, NLC state chapters in Katsina, Niger, Kwara, and Zamfara States have expressed their intent to participate.
The Chairman of the Katsina state chapter of the NLC, Husseini Hamisu, explained that the NEC would determine the next steps for the union in the state. He emphasised the need to follow procedures and await the meeting’s outcome.
Similarly, the Niger State Council of the Congress stated that the meeting would determine the course of action regarding Nigerian workers’ demands due to the alleged government inaction.
The state chairman of NLC, Idrees Lafena, indicated, “There is going to be an NEC meeting tomorrow. It is after the meeting that we can talk about anything. Anything I say that is contrary to that meeting, I’ll not be able to defend it. So let’s leave it at that. After the meeting, I can talk to you.”
Lafena’s counterparts in Zamfara and Kwara States, Sani Halliru and Saheed Olayinka, also refrained from making definitive statements about the meeting’s outcomes.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, has assured Nigerian workers that the government will soon conclude the issue of wage awards. He appealed to the NLC not to proceed with their planned strike and encouraged cooperation with the government to resolve pending issues.
Additionally, the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) expressed gratitude to the minister for securing the release of some of its members, previously arrested by government agents.
Lalong appreciated the NURTW’s visit and advocated for peace between the two factions of the NURTW, emphasising that industrial harmony is vital for the nation’s socio-economic development.