In a decisive move to avert a looming indefinite strike, President Bola Tinubu’s administration has extended an invitation to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for a crucial meeting. The announcement was made by the Labour Minister, Simon Lalong, through an official statement.
Previously, on September 4, Mr. Lalong had summoned both the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to discuss ways to prevent a two-day nationwide warning strike. Regrettably, only the TUC participated in that meeting.
In the latest development, Minister Lalong has directed the Department of Trade Unions Services and Industrial Relations to organize a meeting with the NLC leadership scheduled for Monday. This initiative aims to facilitate productive discussions between the government and the labor unions to address outstanding issues and prevent further economic disruptions.
Minister Lalong emphasized, “The administration of President Bola Tinubu will always engage the organized labor and respond to its concerns after due consultation and negotiations. This is in order to guarantee industrial harmony, which is critical to the attainment of the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
Additionally, the NLC National Executive Council, in a communique issued on September 1, had issued a stark warning of an impending indefinite strike within 21 days if their demands were not met. Among the key demands are wage adjustments, the implementation of palliatives, tax exemptions, allowances for public sector workers, and a review of the minimum wage.
Despite the federal government’s commitment to restructuring the framework for engaging with organized labor on palliatives, the eight-week timeframe allocated for the conclusion of this process expired in August without any discernible progress. The sub-committees formed to facilitate the implementation of the government’s palliative measures, which include Cash Transfers, Social Investment Programs, Cost of Governance, Energy, Mass Transit, and Housing, have yet to convene or fulfill their mandates.
It’s noteworthy that President Tinubu initiated the establishment of the Presidential Steering Committee and various sub-committees since June 19 to deliberate on the palliative framework. This development was a result of closed-door discussions between the president, NLC, and TUC leadership during a nationwide protest organized by labor unions.
