Organized labor will decide its next course of action after a crucial meeting with the Federal Government on Tuesday (today), with the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress demanding concrete proposals on petrol prices, wage negotiations and other unresolved workers’ welfare issues amid the threat of nationwide industrial action.
The talks, which follow an earlier meeting that ended without an agreement, are expected to determine whether the government can address labour’s demands before the unions’ ultimatum expires.
The NLC and TUC are seeking a reduction in petrol prices to 2024 levels, tax relief for workers, immediate wage awards and the commencement of negotiations for a new minimum wage ahead of the government’s proposed June 2027 review.
Meanwhile, the Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria has urged the government to pay eligible retirees three months of outstanding fuel-subsidy palliatives totalling N75,000 and improve access to pensioners’ healthcare benefits.
The Nigeria Labour Congress said it expected the Federal Government to present concrete proposals on workers’ outstanding demands when both sides resume negotiations on Tuesday, following an earlier meeting that ended without agreement on petrol prices, wage negotiations and other unresolved public-sector labour issues.
The NLC Assistant Secretary-General, Chris Onyeka, confirmed to The PUNCH on Monday that the government had invited the union to the meeting. He said labour expected the government to respond to demands already submitted rather than reopen discussions without concrete proposals.
“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.”
A source within organised labour also confirmed the development to one of our correspondents on Monday, saying the government had requested more time to prepare for the meeting.
“The government pleaded for more time. So, we will be meeting with them tomorrow (today), and after that we will take our final decision,” the source said.
A Trade Union Congress official, who spoke to one of our correspondents on condition of anonymity, said the outcome of the meeting would determine labour’s next move.
“Whatever action we are going to take will rest on the outcome of tomorrow’s meeting,” the official said.
The Head of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Labour, Ann Daniel, also confirmed the meeting, saying, “Yes; there will be a meeting tomorrow (today); if nothing changes.”
The meeting follows the October 22 negotiations, which ended without an agreement. The NLC said the government delegation arrived without the authority needed to negotiate substantively, leaving the talks without concrete commitments.
The government subsequently requested an adjournment to allow relevant ministers and heads of departments and agencies to attend the next session.
