The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) stated that it is fully ready for the nationwide strike scheduled for Wednesday.
They have mobilized all state councils and civil societies. A top official of the NLC mentioned that they are making final preparations for effective mobilization.
However, the official also expressed doubt about the government’s seriousness towards the ongoing dialogue, suggesting that today’s meeting with the government might not take place.
He said whatever the outcome, “Nigerians are poised because the directive of NLC National Executive Council (NEC) is an irreversible and irrevocable decision to go ahead with the strike and shut down the country in mass protest.”
Asked what could happen if the government reverses pump price of fuel as demanded by NLC, he said: “If the government reverses, then we will agree with all other commitments we made during the negotiation period. We will agree to go back on the social dialogues that produced the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) we signed earlier. Until the government meets the condition, then we can go back to negotiation and call off the mass protest. But as it is now, there is no going back. NEC has told us we cannot go back.”
NECA expressed concern about the state of Nigeria’s economy, as well as the recent mobilization for the strike and civil action by NLC and TUC. They emphasized the need for urgent action from the government and other stakeholders to address the economic challenges faced by workers, Nigerians, and businesses.
NECA’s Director General, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, urged the government to take immediate steps to alleviate the economic hardships experienced by workers and organized businesses.
Oyerinde pointed out that many businesses have already closed, and others are on the brink of doing so, which could worsen the unemployment rate and push more Nigerians into poverty.
He added: “Any strike, threat of mass action or civil disobedience that could potentially disrupt economic activities, especially those in the formal and informal sectors (which could compromise sustainability and job creation), based on economic policies of the government (which are non-employment related) will be counter-productive.
“While organised labour is at liberty to engage with the government on behalf of its members on issues of welfare, as they relate to impacts of any economic policy, sometimes deadlock may hold sway. When that happens, the consequential action by organised labour should not, in any way, hinder anyone from going about their businesses peacefully or cause anyone to be intimidated or harassed.”
