By JOANNA ILUSANMI

NLC Mobilises for Nationwide Strike as Talks on Wages, Petrol Prices Stall

THE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed its affiliate unions, state councils and civil society allies to begin mobilising for possible nationwide industrial action following the failure of talks with the Federal Government to resolve outstanding workers’ demands.

The meeting, held at the Ministry of Labour in Abuja, ended without concrete commitments from the government. Consequently, organised labour has warned that it may consider stronger action if the next round of discussions fails to produce meaningful progress.

The parties have scheduled their next meeting for Tuesday 27 October. However, the outcome could determine whether negotiations continue or the dispute escalates into a nationwide labour confrontation.

Labour Lists Unresolved Demands

At the centre of the dispute are workers’ concerns over petrol prices, minimum wage negotiations, tax relief and outstanding welfare agreements.

Specifically, the NLC is demanding a reduction in petrol prices to their 2024 levels. It also wants the government to renegotiate the national minimum wage and implement previously agreed tax relief measures.

Furthermore, the congress is pressing for the resolution of the Joint Health Sector Unions’ (JOHESU) terms of settlement. It has also called for action on issues raised by the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC), particularly peculiar allowances, wage awards and hazard allowances.

These demands reflect organised labour’s broader concerns about workers’ purchasing power and the rising cost of living. Therefore, the congress is insisting that the government address the outstanding issues rather than allow negotiations to continue without tangible results.

NLC Faults Government’s Negotiating Team

In a statement signed by its Acting General Secretary, Benson Upah, the NLC expressed disappointment that the government’s delegation arrived at the meeting without the necessary mandates to negotiate substantively.

According to the congress, the absence of the relevant authorisations prevented both parties from reaching concrete agreements. As a result, the meeting ended without resolving the issues that had brought the parties to the negotiating table.

The Minister of Labour subsequently requested an adjournment until October 27. The minister reportedly sought additional time to prepare for more productive discussions, including securing the participation of the relevant ministries, departments and agencies.

Although the NLC reaffirmed its commitment to dialogue, it warned that workers would not tolerate indefinite delays. Consequently, the congress plans to present the meeting’s outcome to its National Executive Council (NEC) and National Working Committee (NWC), which will determine the next course of action if the government fails to make meaningful progress.

Affiliates Begin Mobilisation as Strike Threat Grows

Meanwhile, the NLC has urged workers and members of the public to remain calm while negotiations continue. Nevertheless, it has directed its affiliates, state councils and civil society allies to remain on alert and begin preparations for possible nationwide action.

This mobilisation does not amount to a formal declaration of a strike. Instead, it signals the congress’s readiness to escalate the dispute if the next meeting fails to produce an acceptable outcome.

The government therefore faces renewed pressure to address labour’s demands before the scheduled talks. A failure to reach an agreement could intensify tensions between organised labour and the authorities, with possible consequences for public services, businesses and economic activities across the country.

Petrol Prices Add to Workers’ Concerns

The dispute is unfolding against a difficult economic backdrop, as international crude oil prices remain above $100 per barrel, according to the report. Meanwhile, petrol sells at approximately ₦1,400 per litre, raising concerns about the possibility of further increases in transportation and living costs.

For workers, higher petrol prices can erode the value of wages by increasing the cost of commuting, food distribution and other essential goods and services. Consequently, labour’s demands over fuel prices and minimum wage negotiations have become closely linked to the wider debate about household welfare.

The 27th October meeting will therefore provide an important opportunity for both sides to narrow their differences. However, if the government fails to present concrete proposals and demonstrate a willingness to resolve the outstanding issues, the NLC’s mobilisation could develop into nationwide industrial action.

The congress maintains that it will pursue the interests of workers and the wider population through all legitimate means. For now, the immediate challenge is whether dialogue can deliver tangible commitments before the dispute escalates.