NLC Threatens Indefinite Strike, Gives One Week Ultimatum

 

The Nigeria Labour Congress has threatened to embark on an indefinite strike.

Organised labour made the announcement on Tuesday, September 12, 2023.

 

It threatened to embark on an indefinite strike if the Federal Government fails to meet its demands at the end of a 21-day ultimatum which will expire in barely one week time.

 

The union stated that the proposed strike was necessary due to the failure of the Federal Government to supply palliatives to mitigate the hardships Nigerians are going through as a result of the removed fuel fuel subsidy.

 

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, disclosed that the industrial action which may commence any day from next week and would lead to an indefinite shutdown of commercial and economic activities across the country.

 

The National Assistant General Secretary of the NLC, Christopher Onyeka, said the FG was wrong to share a bag of rice to a dozen citizens while reportedly giving N100 million palliative to each member of the National Assembly.

 

“If the government fails to provide the appropriate responses to our demands, we encourage you to maintain your steadfast resolve. The same passion and determination that fuelled this warning strike will be crucial if we find ourselves compelled to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike,’’ the labour body said in a letter to the FG.

 

The NLC had mobilized workers for a two-day warning strike on September 5 and 6, 2023, partially grounding social and economic activities in several states with banks, ministries, agencies and departments closed to the public in some states.

 

The leadership of the union had said the action was in preparation for a total shutdown which would start at the expiration of the ultimatum next week.

 

Among other demands, the NLC and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, are demanding for wage awards, implementation of palliatives, tax exemptions and allowances to the public sector workers and a review of the minimum wage.