The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) remains resolute in its stance that the palliatives provided by the government led by President Bola Tinubu are an affront to Nigerians. While each legislator received a hefty sum of N100 million, hundreds of thousands of Nigerians in every local government are left grappling with a mere few bags of rice.
The organized labor force issued a stern warning on Tuesday, indicating their intent to embark on an indefinite strike if the Federal Government fails to address their demands within the remaining one week of a 21-day ultimatum, which expires soon.
The labor union argues that this proposed strike is imperative due to the government’s failure to provide relief measures for Nigerians affected by the removal of fuel subsidies.
The Nigeria Labour Congress warns that this industrial action, scheduled to commence next week, could lead to a complete cessation of commercial and economic activities nationwide.
In a conversation with The PUNCH on Tuesday, Mr. Christopher Onyeka, the National Assistant General Secretary of the NLC, expressed his concerns regarding the government’s approach. He highlighted the disparity between the government’s meager distribution of a single bag of rice to a dozen citizens and the reported N100 million palliative given to each member of the National Assembly.
The NLC initially issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government on September 1st over the delay in distributing palliatives. They warned that if their demands were not met, they would consider initiating an indefinite nationwide strike.
The NLC demonstrated its seriousness by organizing a two-day warning strike on September 5th and 6th, which partially disrupted social and economic activities in several states. Banks, ministries, agencies, and departments were closed to the public in some states during this period.
Among their demands, the NLC and the Trade Union Congress called for wage adjustments, the implementation of palliatives, tax exemptions and allowances for public sector workers, and a review of the minimum wage.
Providing an update on the planned strike, Onyeka emphasized that the Federal Government had withdrawn from the negotiation table and failed to meet the workers’ demands. He indicated that the strike would be carried out without prior notification to the government.
He stated, “We sent the letter to the Federal Government on September 1, 2023, so by September 22, 2023, the 21-day ultimatum will end. We have made it clear that the Federal Government has abandoned and absconded from the table for negotiation; that government is no longer negotiating with Nigerians and there is no good-faith negotiation that is going on.”
Furthermore, Onyeka noted that President Bola Tinubu had promised to restructure the committees during a televised discussion with NLC President Joe Ajaero, but this pledge remained unfulfilled. As a result, no negotiations have taken place, and the NLC feels that the government has abandoned the process.
Onyeka pointed out the stark contrast between the insufficient palliatives distributed to ordinary citizens and the lavish N70 billion allocated to legislators, with each member receiving over N100 million. In a country where many Nigerians are suffering, this disparity is viewed as a severe insult.
He called on Nigerians to unite and support the NLC’s efforts, emphasizing that collective action is required to compel the government to address the interests and desires of the Nigerian people.