In a significant development, the leadership of both the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) held a joint press briefing in Abuja, the nation’s capital, today. The unions have jointly called for their state chapters to mobilize for nationwide protests.
This announcement follows the recent two-day warning strike initiated solely by the NLC, as the two labor centers had been at odds. However, the leaders have now resolved their differences, uniting to address critical issues affecting Nigerian workers.
The meeting, as disclosed in a notice signed by NLC Secretary Emmanuel Ugboaja, took place virtually, reflecting the current digital communication landscape.
In response to these developments, Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, has made an appeal to the NLC leadership, urging them to reconsider the planned strike. Minister Lalong assured the unions that the Federal Government is committed to addressing the concerns raised by the labor unions.
Furthermore, Minister Lalong highlighted that one of the major demands put forth by the NLC, concerning the release of the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Road Transport workers, has already been met. A statement from the Ministry’s spokesman, Olajide Oshundu, encourages the workers’ unions to grant the government more time to address the remaining issues.
Notably, on September 5 and 6, 2023, the NLC embarked on a two-day warning strike aimed at compelling the government to address the widespread suffering of Nigerians, particularly workers. Sources close to the matter revealed that both labor organizations convened a joint press briefing on Tuesday afternoon, announcing an indefinite nationwide strike. This decision came as a response to the government’s perceived failure to alleviate the socioeconomic hardships resulting from the removal of subsidies on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol.
The situation continues to develop, with both labor unions and the government navigating a complex landscape to address the pressing concerns of the Nigerian workforce.
Credit: Channels TV
