The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) maintained its stance on the impending nationwide strike, emphasizing that the federal government’s adherence to the existing agreement with labour remains the sole deterrent to the proposed industrial action.
In a recent correspondence addressed to the government, the NLC dismissed assertions by federal authorities claiming an 80% fulfillment of the October 2, 2023, agreement with organised labour. Dated February 29, 2024, the letter urged transparency from the government regarding the agreement’s implementation status, cautioning against resorting to misinformation and propaganda, which it argued could exacerbate societal unrest.
Addressing the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, NLC’s Acting General Secretary, Ismail Bello, emphasized the necessity for expedited implementation of the agreement ahead of the March 13, 2024, deadline to avert a looming industrial crisis.
Titled “Has the government truly implemented the October 2, 2023, agreement,” the letter scrutinized the agreement’s 15 points, highlighting areas where commitments remained unfulfilled or were executed inadequately. Key issues such as wage awards, refinery operations, and social welfare programs were cited as areas of concern due to apparent delays and discrepancies in implementation.
The NLC underscored the urgency for tangible progress in meeting the agreement’s stipulations, particularly in areas affecting workers’ welfare and public well-being, urging the government to address these grievances promptly to prevent further unrest.
