In a potential crisis for Nigeria, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) are set to launch an indefinite strike, which could result in a nationwide blackout.
The NLC and TUC have been locked in discussions with the Federal Government regarding measures to mitigate the impact of subsidy removal and the simultaneous increase in workers’ salaries. Unfortunately, these negotiations have consistently ended in deadlock.
Earlier, the labor unions conducted a three-day warning strike to emphasize their demands, but it seems that a resolution remains elusive.
The Federal Government sought an injunction from the Industrial Court to prevent the unions from going on strike, but this effort proved unsuccessful.
Due to what they perceive as a lackluster response from the Federal Government, the labor unions have now issued a directive to their members to initiate an indefinite strike starting on October 3.
Affiliated unions, including the National Union of Electricity Employees, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Gas Workers, National Union of Banks, Insurance, and Finance Institution Employees have written to their members to obey the directive
Other union who have done so include: National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Service Employees.
Also, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, and the Academic Staff Union of University, College of Education Academic Staff Union, among others, have all called upon their members to support the strike action.
As Nigeria braces for the potential consequences of this nationwide strike, concerns about essential services, particularly electricity supply, have come to the forefront.
The situation remains fluid, with both labor unions and the Federal Government facing growing pressure to find a resolution to this impasse.