NLC threatens indefinite nationwide strike from August 2 over FG’s anti-poor policies

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued  the federal government a seven-day ultimatum to reverse all perceived anti-poor policies, including the recent hike in petrol pump prices across the country or face an indefinite nationwide strike from August 2.

Business A.M gathered that this was one of the decisions reached at NLC’s Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting held on Tuesday, July 25, at the Abuja Labour House.

To this effect, the  NLC, led by Joe Ajaero, its president, has directed all its affiliates and state councils to immediately begin mobilisation of workers and other Nigerians, including civil society allies, for a long-lasting strike and mass protests should the government fail to meet its demands.

Confirming the development, Hakeem Ambali,the national treasurer of the NLC, said, “Yes. We issued a seven-day ultimatum to the federal government to conclude all negotiations with labour or face industrial action (yesterday) by the Central Working Committee.”

Though the National Industrial Court in Abuja, had in June,placed an order restraining the congress from embarking on a natiionwide strike, the NLC remains adamant, noting that it could not fold its arms while Nigerians continued to suffer the effects of subsidy removal which has led to untold hardship.

The federal government and the NLC last met on June 19 to seal an agreement on an eight-week deadline to resolve all contentious issues and implement the resolutions arising from the demands of the organised labour.

During the meeting, a presidential steering committee was set up to serve as a clearing house in coordinating the technical sub-committees on different items and demands raised by the labour union.

However, the meeting has failed to yield the desired results, with the NLC  claiming that the commitee is yet to engage the congress in a dialogue.