Despite assurances by the President Bola Tinubu-led administration of its commitment to increase workers’ salaries and improve their socioeconomic wellbeing, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), on Tuesday insisted that the planned indefinite strike scheduled to kick off from 3 October would be kicked off nationwide.
The leadership of the two labour groups urged Nigerians to stockpile foodstuffs because the strike would shut down economic activities nationwide.
The President of NLC, Joe Ajaero and the TUC President, Festus Osifo, made the disclosure in Abuja during a media briefing at the end of the labour unions’ meeting in Abuja.
According to the communique issued at the end of the union’s meeting read by both Presidents, they attributed the proposed indefinite strike action to alleged insensitivity of the Federal Government to the plights of Nigerians, particularly workers, as a result of the fuel subsidy removal.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, has again appealed to the leaderships of the labour unions to reconsider their decision of the planned strike, assuring them that the Federal Government is determined to address the concerns raised.
He explained that one of the major demands of the NLC in their last meeting had been met as it related to the release of the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Road Transport workers (NURTW).
A statement signed by the Director, Information of the ministry, Olajide Oshundu, pleaded that the workers’ unions should give the government a little more time to address other issues contained in their demands currently being addressed by the government.
