NLC Faction Storms Out of Meeting with Presidency; No Work No Pay, Says the Strike Will Go On

The leadership of the Ayuba Waba-led faction of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, on Tuesday walked out of the meeting held with the representatives of the Government, vowing to go ahead with its scheduled strike across the country from Wednesday (today).

Funny enough, representatives of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, who also attended the meeting, however, said the TUC would not join the strike. So NLC is now on their own?

NLC President, Wabba, led the labour delegation while the SGF, Babachir Lawal, led the Federal Government team at the talks held in the SGF’s office in Abuja on Tuesday night.

Briefing journalists, Wabba said his team arrived at its decision to proceed on strike because the Government has failed to meet up with its demand to revert to the N86.50K old pump price of fuel.

But the Joe Ajaero faction of NLC and petroleum workers had said they would not join the strike.

After the meeting, SGF Lawal said, “The National Industrial Court has given an injunction that no strike by NLC and TUC should hold tomorrow (Wednesday). It is therefore clear that anyone embarking on strike tomorrow (Wednesday) is doing so illegally and government is assuring all Nigerians to come out and do their jobs tomorrow (Wednesday).

“It's the duty of government to provide security for her citizens and anyone who tries to coerce any worker to do their bidding would be made to face the law of the land. We had full cooperation with the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria and they said they are not going on strike. For them, it is a complete return to work tomorrow (Wednesday). It is not the same with the NLC however. They have two factions, one agreed completely with the position of the TUC.”

The SGF, Lawal, in a statement, directed ministers, perm secs and heads of government agencies to invoke the provision of rule against errant workers.