The Nigeria Labour Congress NLC and the Trade Union Congress have resolved to halt activities nationwide from October 3, 2023, on the grounds of the government’s “failure” to successfully implement policies to reduce the sufferings of Nigerians following the removal of the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit.

The NLC National President, Joe Ajaero, during a virtual National Executive Council meeting which was held on Zoom, on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, told members of NEC about the decision made by the officials of the Trade Union Congress, TUC at a meeting held to deliberate on ways forward.

Ajaero noted that it was resolved that the two centres work together to make their stance known to the government.

Some members of the NLC initially objected to the development of the NLC working together with the TUC.

“Initially some members did not want us to work with the TUC but as of now, we don’t have a choice. The government has not been proactive. So it is going to be a definite action this time around.”

The national president of the NLC, Joe Ajaero had complained that “none of the demands put before the Federal Government had been addressed” and that the 21-day ultimatum given by the NLC ended last week.

This development is after the union first observed a two-day nationwide warning strike on September 5 and 6, 2023 to show its readiness for the indefinite strike later in the month.

The NLC and the TUC are asking for wage awards, implementation of palliatives, tax exemptions and allowances to public sector workers, and a review of the minimum wage.

President Bola Tinubu had on June 19 set up the Presidential Steering Committee and various sub-committees to discuss the framework to be adopted on the palliatives but it resulted in nothing positive.

The committees were given eight weeks to conclude the task and hasten the implementation of the framework to positively cushion the effect of petrol subsidy removal on Nigerians but weeks after the timeframe expired, the sub-committees had yet to meet or actualise their mandates, leaving the NLC and TUC leadership frustrated.