The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have accused the Federal Government delegation of coming unprepared to the negotiation meeting over petrol prices, minimum wage renegotiation, tax relief and outstanding workers’ benefits, threatening possible nationwide action following a deadlock in talks.
The meeting, held at the Ministry of Labour in Abuja on Thursday, ended without an agreement, with the next round of discussions scheduled for Tuesday, October 27.
In a joint statement issued on October 22 and signed by NLC General Secretary, Comrade Benson Upah, and TUC Secretary-General, Comrade Nuhu Toro, organised labour said the government delegation came without the necessary mandate to negotiate on the issues presented.
“Regrettably, the government delegation came unprepared and without the necessary mandates to engage substantively on these issues. No concrete commitments were secured, and the outstanding issues remain unresolved,” the statement read.
The unions said their demands included a reduction in petrol prices to 2024 levels, renegotiation of the national minimum wage, implementation of agreed tax relief measures and the settlement of outstanding issues affecting health workers.
They also listed the implementation of the Joint Health Sector Unions terms of settlement and the demands of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council on peculiar allowance, wage award and hazard allowance.
According to the statement, the Minister of Labour requested an adjournment to enable the government to make adequate preparations for the next meeting, including the participation of relevant ministers and heads of departments and agencies.
The labour centres however cautioned that continuous delay in resolving the issues would no longer be tolerated.
The unions reiterated their commitment to dialogue but insisted it would not accept indefinite postponement of workers’ demands.
The statement noted that the leadership of both congresses will brief their organs on the outcome of Thursday’s meeting, adding that the appropriate structures of the NLC will decide on the next line of action should the October 27 meeting fail to achieve tangible results.
The unions while expressing hope that government would address the demands at the next meeting, however urged their affiliates, state councils and civil society allies to begin preparations for possible industrial action across the country.
“However, we urge all affiliates of NLC and TUC; all state councils and our civil society allies to be at alert and start mobilizing for a possible action across the nation while we hope that the tenets of our demands are met by the government,” the statement said.
