The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced that its members and affiliate unions are mobilizing for a two-day national protest on February 27th and 28th. This action is planned if the federal government fails to implement all the agreements signed with the union in October 2023 by the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum issued earlier.
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, revealed this information after the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja. Ajaero stated that if the government still does not meet the demands after the nationwide protest, NLC members will be on standby for an indefinite strike that would commence seven days later.
Ajaero emphasized that the Labour is no longer interested in empty talks from the government but actions. He urged the government to immediately implement the agreements to restore faith in the democratic process, as Nigerians are struggling to survive.
The NEC maintained that the current hardship and struggle for survival began after the president’s announcement on the withdrawal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) during his inaugural speech. The NEC called for the government to implement the signed agreements aimed at ameliorating the adverse effects of its “ill-conceived and ill-implemented policies.”
The communique from the NEC meeting reaffirmed the 14-day notice issued to the federal government, which expires on the midnight of Thursday, February 22, 2024. If the government’s compliance is not satisfactory, the NLC will take action, declaring a two-day National Protest on February 27th and 28th. If the demands are still not met, a seven-day notice will be issued, expiring on March 2, 2024, leading to an indefinite nationwide strike.
The NLC called for immediate action from the federal government to rectify grievances and restore faith in the democratic process and social dialogue, emphasizing that workers and people are not interested in empty talk but action. The NEC urged affiliates, state councils, and civil society allies to start mobilizing across the nation for effective action as the deadline approaches.
