Nigeria’s major labour unions appear prepared for their most sweeping and disruptive strike in years, with workers told to stop work indefinitely from Oct. 3.
The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress announced Tuesday that talks with the federal government over aid following the removal of petrol subsidy had failed.
They directed sub-unions to mobilize for “an indefinite and total shutdown of the nation” to “demonstrate our resolve for a truly independent Nigeria; to take our destinies in our own hands and rescue our nation.”
Festus Osifo, president of the TUC, said all affiliates and state councils of the unions will hold street protests and rallies until the government meets their demands.
The industrial action is coming after repeated warning strikes and at a time when the country is already facing severe economic problems, including rising inflation and devalued naira.
No progress
The trade unions have been engaged in an on-and-off negotiations with the government after the Tinubu administration shoddily scrapped petrol subsidy without provisions for citizens to manage the hardship that followed.
They threatened strike twice and called both off as the government pleaded for more time and patience.
Despite forcing petrol to sell at more than three times the previous price, the government initially promised to pay a measly N8,000 to the poorest citizens, but cancelled the plan after criticisms.
The government’s distribution of paltry N2 billion in cash and tons of rice to states for vulnerable citizens failed to impress labour unions.
On September 5 and 6, the unions held a two-day warning strike and threatened to begin an indefinite strike three weeks later if their demands were not met.
NLC president Joe Ajaero said Tuesday the government “has continued to grandstand and forestall all avenues to peaceful dialogue with organised labour.”
“The government has continued to demonstrate not just an unwillingness to mitigate the massive hardship in the country,” he said.
Previous threats
It’s been years the NLC and TUC pulled off a big strike, with the attendant impact on businesses, power supply, transport systems and financial services.
Until now, their longest strike was in September 2018 over minimum wage. It lasted four days.
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) says it is worried how the looming action will impact millions already struggling economically.
“Government and labour need to understand that our economy is being de-marketed and the livelihood of the average Nigerian is being diminished by these incessant bickering,” said Segun Ajayi-Kadir, director-general, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria.
He said the government should “demonstrate good faith in keeping to its promises during the negotiations with labour and abstain from making promises they cannot or do not intend to keep.”
“On the other hand, labour should do a realistic assessment of its demands within the context of prevailing economic realities and possibilities,” he said.
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