The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed its affiliates, state councils and civil society allies to begin mobilising for possible nationwide action after its meeting with the Federal Government failed to resolve outstanding workers’ demands.
The meeting, held at the Ministry of Labour in Abuja, yesterday, ended without concrete commitments from the government, prompting organised labour to warn it would consider its next line of action if the next session, scheduled for Tuesday, October 27, makes no meaningful progress.
Labour’s demands include a reduction in petrol prices to 2024 levels, renegotiation of the national minimum wage, implementation of agreed tax relief measures, and resolution of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) terms of settlement.
It also demanded the resolution of issues raised by the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC) concerning peculiar allowances, wage awards and hazard allowances.
In a statement issued after the meeting and signed by its Acting General Secretary, Benson Upah, the NLC expressed disappointment that the government’s delegation arrived without the necessary mandates to engage substantively on the issues.
The congress said the lack of relevant authorisations prevented the meeting from producing concrete outcomes, leaving workers’ demands unresolved.
According to the statement, the Minister of Labour requested an adjournment till October 27 to allow the government prepare adequately for a more productive meeting, including the participation of relevant Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
While reaffirming its commitment to dialogue, the NLC warned that it would not accept indefinite delays in addressing workers’ concerns.
The congress said it would report the outcome of yesterday’s meeting to its organs, namely the National Executive Council (NEC) and the Central Working Committee (NWC), which would determine the next course of action if the government failed to demonstrate meaningful progress at the rescheduled meeting.
It urged Nigerian workers and members of the public to remain calm, expressing hope that the government would address the outstanding demands at the next session.
However, the labour centre called on its affiliates, state councils and civil society allies to remain on the alert and commence mobilisation for possible nationwide action.
The development raises the prospect of escalating labour-government tensions over petrol prices, wage negotiations and unresolved welfare agreements, with next Tuesday’s meeting outcome likely to determine whether the parties can reach a negotiated settlement or organised labour will consider industrial action.
NLC said it remained committed to pursuing workers’ and the wider population’s interests through all legitimate means.
This comes as crude oil prices in the international market hover above the $100 mark, which could fuel a further rise in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), which sells at about N1,400 per litre.
