The organized labour in Nigeria has once again threatened to embark on an indefinite strike, barely a week after a two-day warning strike it held throughout the country.
The new threat by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) was announced on Tuesday after the labour leaders accused the Federal Government of failing to meet its demands at the end of a 21-day ultimatum which will expire next week.
The union, in a statement issued by its President, Joe Ajaero, said the proposed strike had become imperative following the “failure of the Federal Government to provide palliatives to assuage the Nigerians hardships as a result of the fuel subsidy removal.”
The union had, on September 1, handed down a 21-day ultimatum to the FG over the delay in providing palliatives to cushion the impact of its policies, saying it might be compelled to declare an indefinite labour action if its demands were not met.
Among the demands made by the NLC are wage awards, implementation of palliatives, tax exemptions and allowances to the public sector workers, and a review of the minimum wage.
The impending industrial action, according to Ajaero, is scheduled to commence “any day” from next week and would lead to an “indefinite shutdown of commercial and economic activities across the country.”
The statement noted that it was wrong for the President Bola Tinubu-led government “to share a bag of rice to a dozen citizens while giving N100 million as palliatives to each member of the National Assembly.”
“If the government fails to provide the appropriate responses to our demands, we encourage you to maintain your steadfast resolve,” the statement read in part.
“The same passion and determination that fuelled this warning strike will be crucial if we find ourselves compelled to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike.
“To demonstrate our seriousness, the NLC mobilised workers for a two-day warning strike on September 5 and 6, partially grounding social and economic activities in several states with banks, ministries, agencies and departments closed to the public in some states.
“The action was in preparation for a total shutdown which would start at the expiration of the ultimatum next week,” it added.