Milcah Tanimu
A support group associated with Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to reconsider their planned nationwide strike in the interest of the country. This appeal comes as Labour Party members express their support for the planned strike, citing concerns about the government’s handling of policies affecting Nigerian workers.
The NLC and TUC had threatened to commence a nationwide strike on October 3 due to the federal government’s perceived failure to implement policies aimed at alleviating the hardships faced by the public following the removal of fuel subsidies. Some of the demands put forward by Organised Labour include wage increases, the implementation of palliatives, tax exemptions and allowances for public sector workers, and a review of the minimum wage.
The National Coordinator of the National Progressive Hub, Bukie Okangbe, issued a statement urging union leaders to give the federal government an opportunity to address these economic issues. The group expressed confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to addressing the concerns raised by labour leaders and pointed to measures taken by the government to mitigate the impact of fuel subsidy removal, including approving palliatives for states and initiating a committee to review the minimum wage.
The statement also highlighted Tinubu’s efforts to engage with the international community to attract foreign investment to Nigeria. The support group emphasized the positive outcomes of these international engagements, with foreign investors showing interest in investing billions of dollars in Nigeria’s economy across various sectors.
As the planned strike date approaches, the appeal from this APC support group seeks to encourage dialogue and resolution of the issues between the government and labour unions to prevent disruptions to economic activities in Nigeria. The outcome of this plea and subsequent negotiations will be closely watched as the country grapples with economic challenges and policy decisions affecting its workforce.