The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened possible nationwide industrial action following the failure of negotiations with the Federal Government over workers’ welfare, petrol prices and other labour demands.
The warning followed a meeting between the Federal Government and organised labour at the Ministry of Labour in Abuja on Thursday, October 22, which ended without an agreement on the outstanding issues.
The congress gave the government until Tuesday, October 27, to make meaningful progress on its demands, warning that its relevant organs would determine the next line of action if the next round of talks failed to produce concrete commitments.
In a statement issued after the meeting by its Acting General Secretary, Benson Upah, the NLC expressed disappointment over what it described as the government delegation’s lack of preparedness for the negotiations.
The congress said organised labour had approached the meeting in good faith but secured no concrete commitments from the government.
Its demands include a reduction in petrol prices to 2024 levels, renegotiation of the national minimum wage, implementation of agreed tax relief measures and resolution of the terms of settlement involving the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).
The demands also include the implementation of issues raised by the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC) concerning peculiar allowances, wage awards and hazard allowances.
According to the NLC, the government delegation lacked the necessary mandates to engage substantively on the issues presented by organised labour.
“The meeting between the Federal Government and organised labour, convened at the Ministry of Labour in Abuja on 22nd October 2026, has ended without resolution,” the statement said.
The congress added that the Minister of Labour requested an adjournment until October 27 to allow the government to prepare adequately for a more productive meeting.
It said the preparations would involve bringing together relevant ministers and heads of departments and agencies to address the outstanding demands.
While reaffirming its commitment to dialogue, the NLC warned that it would not accept indefinite delays in resolving issues affecting workers.
“We will report back to our organs, and if no meaningful progress is made on Tuesday, the relevant organs of the NLC will decide the next line of action,” the statement added.
The congress also directed its affiliates, state councils and civil society allies to begin mobilising members for possible nationwide industrial action.
It urged workers and members of the public to remain calm while expressing hope that the government would address its demands before the next meeting.
The October 27 meeting is expected to provide another opportunity for both parties to resolve the outstanding issues and avert a possible escalation of the dispute.
