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The Federal Government was Thursday given until October 27 to address workers’ demands, with warning of possible nationwide action should negotiations fail. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) issued the mandate in a statement signed by Benson Upah, its Acting General-Secretary, Abuja after a meeting between the Federal Government and organised labour ended without resolution.
Upah said the meeting, convened at the Ministry of Labour in Abuja, ended in a deadlock.
Said he: “Regrettably, the government delegation came unprepared and without the necessary mandates to engage substantively on these issues.
“No concrete commitments were secured, and the outstanding issues remain unresolved.
“However, we urge all affiliates of NLC, all State Councils and our civil society allies to be alert and start mobilising for possible action across the nation while we hope that our demands are met by the government”.
He said the meeting was adjourned until October 27, at the request of the Minister of Labour to enable the government assemble relevant Ministers and Heads of Fepartments and Agencies for further discussions.
Upah said the NLC’s demands included a reduction in petrol prices to 2024 levels, renegotiation of the national minimum wage and implementation of agreed tax relief measures.
He added that the demands also included implementation of the Terms of Settlement reached with the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals (JOHESU), as well as the demands of the Joint Public Sector Negotiating Council (JPSNC).
Upah disclosed that outstanding issues under the JPSNC demands included peculiar allowances, wage awards and hazard allowances.
He said the NLC remained committed to dialogue but would not accept indefinite delays, adding that its relevant organs would determine the next line of action if no meaningful progress was made at Tuesday’s meeting.
Upah urged Nigerian workers and the general public to remain calm and resolute, expressing hope that at the next meeting, the government would address the demands.
