In a frantic bid to prevent the looming Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) warning strike set for Tuesday and Wednesday, the Federal Government has expressed its willingness to engage with the labor union on Monday. However, the NLC remains steadfast in its decision to proceed with the two-day warning strike, despite the government’s history of broken promises and negotiations gone awry.
Several state chapters of the NLC have declared their readiness to join the strike, while others plan to convene executive committee meetings as a prelude to the strike. The NLC’s decision to call for a nationwide strike stems from the government’s failure to engage in meaningful dialogue regarding the removal of petrol subsidies and its adverse impact on the “poor masses.”
The NLC has enumerated six key grievances against the government, including the abandonment of negotiations and the non-implementation of previous resolutions. In response, the NLC’s National Executive Council has resolved to initiate a “total and indefinite shutdown” of the nation unless the government takes immediate steps to alleviate the suffering experienced across the country.
Beyond the petrol subsidy issue, the NLC also raises concerns about the police’s actions at the National Union of Road Transport Workers’ headquarters, alleged violations of workers’ rights in Imo State, government interference in trade union matters in Abia State, and proposed house demolitions by the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike.
In the wake of the strike declaration, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has expressed optimism about resolving the matter through negotiations. He believes that the new minister’s engagement with the NLC will pave the way for a swift resolution.
The NLC, however, contends that the government has not reached out to them since announcing the strike. Christopher Onyeka, the Assistant National Secretary of the NLC, emphasizes the importance of dialogue but asserts that it is the government that has been avoiding the table.
While the NLC’s demands are significant, Onyeka underscores that the warning strike aims to demonstrate their commitment to the cause and their determination to ensure that the government addresses the concerns of Nigerians. He urges the government to listen to the voices of its citizens and act accordingly.
In preparation for the strike, state chapters of the NLC across the country are mobilizing their members. In Ogun, Zamfara, Abia, Sokoto, Osun, Lagos, and Ekiti states, NLC leaders are readying their workers for the impending strike, emphasizing the need for action given the economic hardship caused by the removal of fuel subsidies.
While some states are already prepared for the strike, others plan to finalize their strategy after state executive council meetings on Monday. Gombe, Kwara, Benue, and Bayelsa states are among those awaiting further directives from the NLC’s national headquarters.
As tensions rise and preparations intensify, the fate of Nigeria’s labor landscape hangs in the balance. The government’s ability to address the NLC’s concerns and avert the nationwide strike remains uncertain, leaving the nation’s workforce in anticipation of what lies ahead.