Hardship: Strike Goes On As FG Fails To Bend To NLC’s Resolve

A late meeting between the Federal Government and the Organised Labour on Monday night at the State House in Abuja ended in a stalemate.

“The rally goes on and it is part of their constitutional responsibility to ensure that the rally is peaceful,” said the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, after the meeting with government representatives on the eve of the protest.

The meeting, hosted by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, was not opened to the media.

The Federation’s Attorney General, Lateef Fagbemi, as well as the Ministers of Labour, Agriculture, Finance, Budget & Planning, and Head of Service are present at the meeting.

There were also representatives from the two labour hubs in the nation.

Joe Ajaero, National President of the NLC, led the group, while Festus Osifo led the Trade Union Congress (TUC) team.

On February 27 and 28, 2024, the Federal Government had requested that the NLC postpone its statewide demonstration.

Speaking following the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Monday, Minister of Information Muhammad Idris claimed that the Federal Government has complied with nearly all of the labour union’s demands.

The NLC declared that the Federal Government of Nigeria needed to adopt a more strategic mindset, carry out its agreement with the Organised Labour and tackle the growing economic challenges necessary for the country to survive.

Nigeria is experiencing economic hardship due to the withdrawal of the petrol subsidy, growing food inflation, currency instability, rising inflation, and high living expenses, which have sparked protests in several sections of the nation.

The NLC stated that its members will not be intimidated into abandoning their intended statewide protest, even in the face of subtly aggressive pressure from the administration to forego the scheduled strike.