By Uche Amunike
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened possible nationwide industrial action following the failure of negotiations with the Federal Government over workers’ welfare, petrol prices and other outstanding labour demands.
The warning followed a meeting between the Federal Government and organized labour at the Ministry of Labour in Abuja, Thursday, October 22, which ended without an agreement on the issues discussed.
The NLC has given the Federal Government until Tuesday, October 27, to demonstrate meaningful progress on its demands, warning that its relevant organs would determine the next course of action if the scheduled meeting fails to produce concrete commitments.
The congress has also directed its affiliate unions, state councils and civil society allies to begin mobilising members for possible nationwide industrial action.
Speaking, through a statement issued after the meeting, the NLC’s Acting General Secretary, Benson Upah, expressed disappointment over what the congress described as the government delegation’s lack of preparedness for the negotiations.
According to the statement, organized labour approached the meeting in good faith but left without securing concrete commitments from the government regarding its demands.
The NLC explained that the Minister of Labour requested an adjournment until October 27 to enable the government to prepare adequately for a more productive meeting.
The preparations are expected to involve relevant ministers and heads of departments and agencies to ensure that the outstanding issues receive proper attention.
Despite the setback, the NLC maintained that it remained committed to dialogue but would not accept indefinite delays in addressing workers’ concerns.
‘We will report back to our organs, and if no meaningful progress is made on Tuesday, the relevant organs of the NLC will decide the next line of action,’ the statement said.
The congress urged workers and members of the public to remain calm while encouraging its affiliates, state councils and civil society partners to stay alert and prepare for possible industrial action.
It stated: ‘However, we urge all affiliates of NLC and TUC; all state councils and our civil society allies to be alert and start mobilising for a possible action across the nation while we hope that the tenets of our demands are met by the government.’
The October 27 meeting is expected to provide another opportunity for both parties to address their differences and prevent an escalation of industrial tensions.
The NLC’s warning comes amid concerns over the rising cost of living and the financial pressures confronting Nigerian workers, particularly following changes in petrol prices.
The congress has consistently called for measures to protect workers’ welfare and address the economic challenges affecting households across the country.
Although the NLC has reiterated its preference for negotiations, its mobilization directive signals that nationwide industrial action remains a possibility if the next meeting fails to produce meaningful results.
The outcome of Tuesday’s discussions will therefore be crucial in determining whether the Federal Government and organized labour can reach an agreement or face a broader industrial dispute.
For now, workers and the public await the government’s response as the deadline approaches, with the NLC maintaining pressure for concrete commitments on its outstanding demands.
