NLC NEC to decide on strike as ultimatum ends

The 21-day ultimatum served on the Federal Government by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) ended on Friday with workers waiting for the next line of action by Labour

The deadline ended early today (Friday).

But workers in the NLC affiliate unions across the country told The Nation yesterday that they were yet to the mobilised by the NLC Abuja.

Head of Information, NLC, Benson Upah, told our reporter that only the National Executive Council of the NLC can decide the next move.

The NEC is expected to state the next line of action following the expiration of the 21-day ultimatum.

On September 5 and 6, the NLC called out its members on a two-day warning strike.

Upah said yesterday: “If you go back to the Communique issued, it was emphatic on when the ultimatum will expire; which is tomorrow but it was not emphatic on when the action will start. That leaves that at the discretion of the NEC.

“The ultimatum expires tomorrow (today). But, the action plan is at the discretion of the NEC.”

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Talks between Labour and the Federal Government on post-subsidy removal palliatives for workers, especially at federal level, have not been concluded.

At the end of the resumed talks on Monday, government officials and NLC leaders describing their discusions talks as “fruitful.”

The meeting was called at the instance of Labour and Employment Minister, Simon Lalong.

Both parties were expected to resolve some of the key issues tabled before the government by the organised Labour before the deadline.

Some of the demands of the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) are: wage award, tax exemptions and allowances to public sector workers, provision of Compressed Natural Gas buses, release of modalities for the N70bn for Small and Medium Enterprises, release of officials of the National Union of Road Transport Workers by the police, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria crisis in Lagos, among others.

Others are: immediate reversal of all anti-poor policies of the Federal Government, including the recent hike in PMS price, increase in public school fees, the release of the eight months withheld salaries of university teachers and workers as well as the increase in Value Added Tax (VAT).

NLC President Joe Ajaero said Labour was ready to meet the government any time of the day to find solutions to its demands and avert the planned strike.

He, however, added that only the Presidency can take decisions on the demands presented to the government.