Emmanuel Ochayi
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a stern warning to the federal government, declaring that there will be no more warnings before the next strike, scheduled in just 30 days.
The warning comes as a result of the government’s alleged failure to adhere to their existing agreement with the NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Join our WhatsApp ChannelNLC President Joe Ajaero, speaking exclusively to ARISE News Channel, emphasized the urgency of the situation. He revealed that the President Bola Tinubu administration had been given ample time to take action to alleviate the country’s suffering and prevent avoidable deaths caused by the harsh economy.
However, the government’s continued inaction on labor concerns has prompted the NLC to take a more uncompromising stance.
READ ALSO: Inside Detail Of FG’s MoU With Organized Labour That Averted NLC Strike
The recent suspension of the planned indefinite strike was due to the signing of a 15-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the labor unions and the federal government.
Ajaero explained that the decision to return to the negotiating table was influenced by public pressure and concerns raised about the potential negative impact of the strike on vulnerable citizens.
Ajaero stated, “When we had the first meeting with them, we went back to our organs. And even when our ultimatum expired, we still went back. That’s where we draw our power and mandate.”
He further warned, “If at the end of the one month, for all that was agreed, we are not satisfied, we will get back to the same organs and get a fresh mandate because it’s important that we understand that an activity that was suspended is not called off.”
Ajaero expressed disappointment in the government’s failure to implement key aspects of the agreement, including the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) program, promised salary awards, and cash transfers.
He questioned the government’s progress on these fronts, particularly regarding CNG buses and the Port Harcourt refinery.
The NLC president also highlighted concerns regarding wage disparities among different income brackets and pensioners. He called for clarity on how the government plans to support the poorest of the poor.
Despite the challenges, Ajaero expressed some optimism, noting that the labor movement was exploring ways to extend the benefits to workers in the private sector, local government, and state levels. He emphasized that the power of workers would be used judiciously.
Ajaero acknowledged that while the primary responsibility of the labor union is to its members, initiatives like the CNG program and Value Added Tax (VAT) could ultimately benefit all Nigerians.
In closing, Ajaero stressed the importance of depositing copies of the MoU in the courts to ensure both parties adhere to the agreement, highlighting the trust gap that exists between Nigerian leaders and the governed.
He stated, “The crisis is not over because of the era of broken promises, and because of the trust gap between Nigerian leaders and the governed.”
The NLC’s warning serves as a stark reminder of the pressing issues facing Nigeria and the government’s obligation to address them promptly.
