NEC Urges Labour Union To Suspend Oct. 3 Nationwide Strike, Engage With Leaders

The National Economic Council (NEC) asked the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to suspend the nationwide indefinite strike, which is scheduled to start from Oct. 3 onwards, over fuel subsidy removal.

Speaking about the strike, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State said that the country is going through a very critical phase.

"The council noted further the implications of the planned strike on the economy and the nation and thus urge members to continue to engage with the leadership of their respective states," Governor Mutfwang said, Premium Times reported.

NEC consists of all presidents, general secretaries, treasurers of all NLC's affiliate unions; state chairpersons and secretaries of the NLC state councils, chairperson of the NLC Youth Committee, and members of the National Administrative Council.

He further said that the NEC appeals to the labor union to suspend the nationwide indefinite strike and continue to have a dialogue with the federal government, adding that this is the council's appeal.

However, the governor assured that the council appreciates labor union concerns over hiked fuel prices following subsidy removal, noting that NEC needs some time to address the concerns.

He noted that President Bola Tinubu will be addressing the nation on Oct. 1 and some of the concerns of the labor union will be appropriately addressed in the president's speech

"It is therefore important to note that it's a federation issue, so whatever happens the labor is represented in all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)," the governor said.

Governor Mutfwang appealed to the unions that "discussion should continue at the state levels because there will be peculiarities as to the issues to be addressed concerning the demands of labor and therefore dialogue is the way to go."

The organized labor union announced the strike on Sept. 1 and gave a 21-day ultimatum to the government to address the union demands amid the removal of subsidies that caused an increase in fuel prices, among other issues.

TUC's National Deputy President Tommy Etim confirmed on Wednesday that an indefinite strike will start on Oct. 3, noting that they have given enough time to the government but it did nothing. He also said that this would be the "mother of all strikes" and Nigerians should expect a "total shutdown" across the nation.