Precious Nwonu, Enugu

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have given the Federal Government until Tuesday, October 27, to make progress on workers’ demands, warning that nationwide industrial action could follow if the issues remain unresolved.

The warning came after a meeting between organised labour and government representatives ended without an agreement in Abuja on Thursday.

In a joint statement signed by the NLC General Secretary, Benson Upah, and the TUC Secretary-General, Nuhu Toro, the unions said the government delegation lacked the mandate required to negotiate substantive solutions to the issues raised.

“No concrete commitments were secured, and the outstanding issues remain unresolved,” the unions said.

The meeting, held at the Federal Ministry of Labour, focused on labour’s demand for a reduction in petrol prices to 2024 levels, renegotiation of the national minimum wage, implementation of agreed tax relief measures and resolution of outstanding disputes involving health workers and other public servants.

According to the statement, the Minister of Labour requested that the meeting be adjourned until October 27 to allow the government to prepare adequately and invite relevant ministers, as well as heads of departments and agencies, to participate in the negotiations.

Organised labour said it remained open to dialogue but would not tolerate further delays in addressing workers’ concerns.

“We will report back to our organs, and if no meaningful progress is made on Tuesday, the relevant organs of the NLC will decide the next line of action,” the statement added.

The unions also directed their affiliates and state councils, alongside civil society allies, to remain prepared and begin mobilisation in anticipation of possible industrial action.

However, they urged workers and members of the public to remain calm while expressing hope that the next meeting would produce concrete responses from the government.

The dispute comes amid continuing concerns over the cost of living, fuel prices and the purchasing power of Nigerian workers following recent economic reforms.

The National Minimum Wage Act, 2024, raised the national minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000 after negotiations involving the Federal Government and organised labour. The unions are now seeking further engagement on wages in response to prevailing economic pressures.

Labour is also demanding the implementation of agreed tax relief measures and a resolution of outstanding disputes involving the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC).

The JPSNC’s outstanding issues include peculiar allowances, wage awards and hazard allowances, while the JOHESU dispute concerns unresolved terms of settlement affecting health-sector workers.

The outcome of Tuesday’s meeting is expected to determine the unions’ next steps, with any decision on industrial action to be taken by their respective decision-making bodies.