Nationwide strike looms as labour gives FG final chance to resolve demands
Organised labour will decide whether to embark on nationwide industrial action after crucial talks with the Federal Government on Tuesday, as unions demand concrete commitments on petrol prices, workers’ wages and outstanding welfare agreements.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) said the outcome of the meeting would determine their next course of action after earlier negotiations ended without an agreement.
NLC assistant secretary-general Chris Onyeka confirmed on Monday that the government had invited labour representatives to resume discussions, insisting that the unions expected clear responses to demands already submitted.
“We expect them to come with answers to our demands, so that the meeting will not be prolonged,” Onyeka said.
“We don’t expect them to come and start asking us again, ‘What are your demands?’ The demands have already been tabled before them.”
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A labour source said the government had requested additional time to prepare for the negotiations, adding that union leaders would take a final decision after assessing the outcome.
The talks follow an inconclusive meeting on 22 October, during which labour accused the government delegation of lacking the authority to make binding commitments.
In a joint statement, the acting NLC general secretary, Benson Upah, and TUC secretary-general, Nuhu Toro, said the government had failed to address the unions’ demands.
“Regrettably, the government delegation came unprepared and without the necessary mandates to engage substantively on these issues. No concrete commitments were secured, and the outstanding issues remain unresolved,” they said.
Labour is demanding a reduction in petrol prices to 2024 levels, tax relief for workers, immediate wage awards and the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage.
The unions argue that inflation and rising living costs have significantly eroded the purchasing power of workers despite the increase in the minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000 in July 2024.
However, the Federal Government maintains that the next statutory minimum wage review is due in June 2027, citing the three-year review cycle under the National Minimum Wage Act.
Labour disagrees, insisting that preparations for a new wage agreement should begin immediately.
The unions had issued a two-week ultimatum on 8 October before extending the deadline to 27 October, warning of possible nationwide action if negotiations failed.
Meanwhile, the Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria has demanded payment of three months of outstanding fuel-subsidy palliatives totalling N75,000 for eligible retirees.
The association also called for improved access to healthcare benefits, pension harmonisation and safeguards against disruptions to payments during verification exercises.
The outcome of Tuesday’s negotiations is expected to determine whether organised labour proceeds with its threatened industrial action.