By Cross Udo, Abuja
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) yesterday gave the Federal Government two weeks to commence the implementation of policies that will reduce the impact of the government’s economic policies on citizens.
In the last few weeks, there have been rising protests by Nigerians over the impact of government policies such as the removal of the petrol subsidy and the devaluation of the naira, both of which have led to an astronomical increase in the prices of goods and services.
In a joint statement, the NLC and TUC said, they are concerned about the ‘non-implementation of the 16-point agreement reached with the Federal Government on October 2, 2023.”
But in a swift reaction to the ultimatum, the Federal Government told the Organised Labour that the allegation that it does not keep to promises was not true, claiming it keeps to all its promises.
However, the NLC and TUC said in their statement, “These agreements which were reached with the federal government were focused on addressing the massive suffering and the general harsh socioeconomic consequences of the ill-conceived and ill-executed IMF/World Bank induced hike in the price of PMS and the devaluation of the naira.
“Constrained by this development and recognising the urgency of the situation and the imperative of ensuring the protection and defence of the rights and dignity of Nigerian workers and citizens, the NLC and TUC hereby issue a stern ultimatum to the Federal Government, to honour their part of the understanding within 14 days from tomorrow, the 9th day of February 2024.
“Regrettably, we are compelled to resort to such measures, but the persistent neglect of the welfare of citizens and Nigerian workers and the massive hardship leaves us with no choice. Therefore, everything must be done within the two weeks to avoid a situation where we may be compelled to take appropriate steps to protect Nigerian workers and masses.”
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The Organised Labour lamented that widespread hunger was now ravishing millions of Nigerians, with the workers purchasing power significantly eroded, while insecurity has assumed an increasing dimension.
“Nigerians are left wondering where their next meals will come from and what tomorrow might bring.
“The level of panic and anxiety amongst the populace has become nightmarish unfortunately, in the midst of all these, it appears our government is bereft of appropriate measures to ameliorate the huge burden it has foisted on the citizenry.
“We wish to state that these agreements, which encompass a wide range of issues crucial to the well-being of Nigerian masses and workers, have not been honoured as pledged by the Federal Government.
“From wage awards, palliative adjustments to improved access to public utilities; to the meddlesomeness in the internal affairs of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the interference by the Lagos State Government in union activities, the case of illegal and unlawful proscription of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria RTEAN. The government’s failure to uphold its end of the bargain is deeply regrettable and unacceptable to the Working people and the citizenry.”
*Come let’s discuss, FG woo Labour
The Federal Government yesterday told the two labour unions that it was not in the interest of anyone for them to embark on strike and appealed that they should come for a round table discussion to arrive at amicable resolutions to any differences.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, appealed while reacting to the threat by the Organised Labour to go on strike over the alleged government’s failure to honour agreements it entered into with the unions and the hardship people are passing through.
Idris said, “Well, we appeal to labour to always see reason with the government. It is not in the government’s interest for the labour to continue to go on strike.
“We appeal with labour, let them come again, around the table to continue to have engagements and conversations around whatever grey areas they think they have in some of these agreements that have already been signed.”
Reminded that labour accused the government of being in the habit of not keeping to agreements with unions, the Minister said, “No, I think government keeps its promises. If there are other things that they (NLC, TUC) think they are concerned about, I think that they will sit down with the government and the government is ever ready to listen to labour so that we can have an amicable resolution to all these.”
