NLC, TUC to Begin Indefinite Nationwide Strike on October 3 Over Wage Demands

The Nigerian workers are set to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike from October 3, following the failure of the government to meet their demands after the removal of fuel subsidy in May.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the two umbrella bodies of the organised labour, announced the decision after a joint National Executive Council meeting on Tuesday, September 26, in Abuja.

The NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, said the government has “substantially failed to meet its demands” despite the 21-day ultimatum given by the labour unions.

He said the workers have no option but to withdraw their services and protest against the government’s policies that have worsened their living conditions.

The labour unions are demanding wage awards for public workers and a new minimum wage that reflects the current economic realities.

They are also asking for tax exemptions and allowances to public sector workers, provision of Compressed Natural Gas buses, the release of modalities for the N70 billion for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and immediate reversal of all anti-poor policies of the Federal Government.

Some of the policies that the labour unions want reversed include the increase in public school fees, the increase in Value Added Tax (VAT), and the withholding of eight months salaries of university teachers and workers.

The labour unions said these policies have increased the hardship and poverty of Nigerians, especially in the face of rising inflation and unemployment.

The NLC President urged Nigerians to stock their homes ahead of the planned nationwide strike, as it would affect all sectors of the economy. He said the strike would continue until the government addresses their demands satisfactorily.

He also called on Nigerians to join the labour unions in their struggle for a better Nigeria.

The planned nationwide strike is coming after a two-day warning strike that was held by the NLC on September 5th and 6th, which led to the partial crippling of economic activities in some states.

The warning strike was meant to send a signal to the government that the workers were not happy with its policies and actions.

However, the government did not respond positively to the warning strike, as it maintained that it had no intention of increasing the pump price of petrol or revising the minimum wage.

The government also said it was not responsible for some of the issues raised by the labour unions, such as school fees and VAT, which are determined by state governments and other agencies.

The government also accused the labour unions of being insensitive to the economic challenges facing the country, which were caused by factors beyond its control, such as the global oil price crash, and security threats. The government said it was doing its best to revive the economy and improve the welfare of Nigerians.

The government also appealed to the labour unions to shelve their planned nationwide strike, as it would disrupt economic recovery and cause more hardship to Nigerians. The government said it was open to dialogue and negotiation with the labour unions to resolve their grievances amicably.

However, the labour unions have rejected the government’s appeal, saying they have exhausted all avenues of dialogue and negotiation without any positive outcome. They said they have no confidence in the government’s sincerity and commitment to address their demands. They said they are ready to face any consequences that may arise from their action.

The planned nationwide strike is expected to paralyse economic activities across Nigeria, as it would affect key sectors such as transportation, banking, health, education, oil and gas, power, telecommunications, and others. It would also affect social services such as water supply, sanitation, security, and others. The strike would also have implications for Nigeria’s relations with other countries and international organisations.

The nationwide strike is likely to be one of the biggest industrial actions in Nigeria’s history, as it involves millions of workers from different sectors and regions. It is also likely to be one of the most contentious issues in Nigeria’s political landscape, as it would pit the government against the workers and their allies. It is also likely to generate diverse reactions from Nigerians from different walks of life.

The outcome of the nationwide strike is uncertain, as it depends on several factors such as the level of compliance by workers, employers, and citizens; the response of security agencies; the intervention of mediators; and other unforeseen events. However, one thing is clear: Nigeria is heading for a major showdown between its government and its workers over wage demands.

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