By Latiifah Amusan
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has officially commenced a two-day warning strike today, citing the escalating hardships and suffering experienced by citizens, which they attribute to the removal of fuel subsidies.
Despite appeals from the Federal Government, the NLC refused to attend a crucial meeting yesterday to discuss the ongoing crisis and potentially halt the strike.
Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, who had awaited the NLC’s arrival at the meeting, expressed concern that the strike action would exacerbate the difficulties faced by ordinary Nigerians and urged the NLC to reconsider.
The warning strike was initially announced last Friday as a protest against the widespread suffering and impoverishment endured by Nigerians.
The NLC has also issued a grave warning, stating that if the government fails to address citizens’ hardships, they will initiate a total and indefinite shutdown of the nation within 14 working days or 21 days from the start of the warning strike.
In a statement issued by NLC President Joe Ajaero, he emphasized the urgent need for the government to address the “excruciating mass suffering and impoverishment experienced around the country.”
However, the NLC’s decision to skip the scheduled meeting with the Federal Government yesterday came after a media briefing by Minister Simon Lalong, where he criticized labor leaders and issued threats against them.
NLC leaders expressed concerns about possible arrests and decided not to attend the meeting, thanking the minister for putting them on notice of the government’s intentions.
The NLC’s actions have triggered uncertainty across the nation, and the union has indicated that it will determine its next steps following the two-day warning strike.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has appealed for two weeks to finalize discussions on organized labor’s demands.
Trades Union Congress, TUC leaders attended a meeting with the government, while NLC representatives were notably absent.
The Federal Government had earlier appealed to the NLC to suspend the proposed two-day warning nationwide strike.
TUC leaders stated that they would engage in conversations with the government to address their concerns.
Among the pressing issues raised are the implementation of palliatives, wage awards, tax exemptions, allowances for public sector workers, and modalities for the N70 billion Small and Medium Enterprises and RTEAN crisis.
In an unexpected turn of events, the National Union of Banks, Insurance, and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE) has declared its support for the NLC’s two-day strike.
They have directed their members, including workers in Nigerian banks, insurance companies, and financial institutions, to stay off duty during the strike.
