The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have threatened to go on with their planned nationwide action after their latest talks with the Federal Government over workers’ welfare and economic hardship ended without an agreement.
The meeting, held at the Ministry of Labour in Abuja on Thursday, ended in a deadlock, with organised labour accusing the government delegation of arriving without the authority needed to negotiate its demands.
In a joint statement signed by NLC Acting General Secretary Benson Upah and TUC Secretary-General Nuhu Toro, the unions said, “Regrettably, the government delegation came unprepared and without the necessary mandates to engage substantively on these issues.”
They added, “No concrete commitments were secured, and the outstanding issues remain unresolved.”
The unions’ demands include a reduction in petrol prices to 2024 levels, the renegotiation of the national minimum wage and the implementation of agreed tax relief measures.
They are also seeking the settlement of outstanding issues affecting health workers and other public servants, including peculiar allowances, wage awards and hazard allowances.
The unions said the Minister of Labour requested that the meeting be adjourned until Tuesday, October 27, to allow the government to prepare for further discussions and bring relevant ministers and government officials to the table.
Organised labour said it remained committed to dialogue but would not accept indefinite delays in addressing workers’ concerns.
It urged its affiliates, state councils and civil society allies to begin mobilising for possible nationwide action while awaiting the next meeting.
The NLC and TUC said their next steps would depend on the outcome of the talks, raising the possibility of industrial action if the government fails to make meaningful progress.
The dispute comes amid concerns over rising living costs and workers’ purchasing power following recent economic reforms.
Comments
Add a comment