A nationwide strike is set to begin tomorrow after a meeting between the federal government, the National Assembly, and labour leaders ended without an agreement. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have announced that they will proceed with the strike until their demands are met.
Meeting Details
The closed-door meeting, held at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, started at 5:50 p.m. and concluded at 8:45 p.m. Despite the government’s efforts to persuade the labour leaders to call off the strike, the discussions ended in a deadlock.
Statements from Government Officials
Senate President Godswill Akpabio addressed the media after the meeting, stating that the government had pleaded with the labour leaders to reconsider the strike due to its potential impact on essential services and the broader economy.
“We decided to intervene because we are the people’s parliament. The 10th National Assembly believes strongly that anything that will bring more yoke, more suffering to the people of Nigeria must be avoided,” Akpabio said.
He emphasized that the strike could lead to severe consequences, particularly for the most vulnerable populations who rely on public services. Akpabio assured that efforts to resolve the issue would continue and appealed to the union leaders to return to the negotiating table.
Labour Leaders’ Response
Festus Osifo, President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), speaking on behalf of the labour unions, confirmed that the government had made appeals, but the unions remained firm in their demands. Osifo stated that the strike would proceed pending further consultations within the unions.
Consequences of the Strike
The strike is expected to disrupt various sectors, including healthcare, as hospitals and other essential services will be affected. This disruption could lead to significant hardships for many Nigerians, particularly those who depend on public healthcare and other critical services.
Conclusion
The deadlock in negotiations has set the stage for an indefinite nationwide strike, underscoring the tensions between the government and labour unions over the proposed minimum wage. The situation remains fluid, with potential impacts on the economy and daily life in Nigeria. Both sides have expressed a willingness to continue discussions, but as of now, the strike is set to commence.
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Written By Joe Brens