The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a stern warning to the Federal Government, threatening to commence an indefinite strike if the government fails to meet their demands within the remaining week of a 21-day ultimatum.
The ultimatum was given due to the government’s failure to provide palliatives to alleviate the hardships caused by the removal of fuel subsidies. The NLC has criticized the government’s approach, highlighting its inadequacy in addressing the needs of the people.
The potential strike, set to begin next week, could have a significant impact on commercial and economic activities across the nation. The NLC has expressed its dissatisfaction with the government’s distribution of palliatives, citing disparities between meager rice allocations for citizens and substantial palliative packages for members of the National Assembly.
The NLC initially issued the 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government on September 1, 2023, and its leadership has emphasized the need for a swift and appropriate response to their demands. As part of their efforts to press for their demands, the NLC conducted a two-day warning strike on September 5 and 6.
Among the key demands of the NLC and the Trade Union Congress are wage awards, 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 restructure the framework for engagement with organized labor on palliatives, the process’s eight-week timeframe has expired without significant progress. Sub-committees assigned to implement palliative measures have yet to meet or fulfill their mandates.
The NLC has expressed concerns that the government is not actively participating in negotiations and is calling on Nigerians to join their efforts to address these issues collectively. The fate of the impending strike depends on the government’s response in the coming days.
Workers across Nigeria have been adversely affected by the removal of fuel subsidies, prompting them to seek various survival strategies such as reduced work hours, farming, and trading to supplement their incomes. Some organizations have also implemented work-from-home models to adjust to the challenging economic situation.
Civil servants have been particularly affected, with many struggling to meet the rising cost of living and the disparity between their incomes and daily expenses.
**Source:** [PUNCH](https://punchng.com)
