The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is making its dissatisfaction known once again, this time issuing a 14-day notice to the Edo State government to vacate its secretariat in Benin. The ultimatum, which was issued by the National Executive Council (NEC) after their meeting in Owerri, Imo State, is set to expire on January 8, 2025. The police are being called upon to vacate the premises and return all confiscated items to the Congress, with a clear commitment to stop interfering in trade union matters.
The NLC has condemned the actions of both the police and Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, who it claims orchestrated a raid on the state’s NLC secretariat.
In their statement, the NLC was unapologetic about calling out what it referred to as a “brazen act of impunity.” The ransacking of the properties, along with the removal of items, was allegedly done in an effort to impose an illegitimate leadership on the workers.
The NLC is warning that should the government fail to comply with the 14-day deadline, it will take “unprecedented measures” to protect workers’ rights
Meanwhile, the NLC continues to push its broader agenda. The NEC meeting in Owerri wasn’t just about Edo State, but also about pressing issues facing Nigerian workers. A major concern is the impact of government policies on small businesses and informal economy workers, who the NLC claims are being hit hardest by the current economic climate. The Congress is calling for immediate federal intervention to protect citizens’ financial rights, particularly for small businesses struggling to survive in this harsh environment.
The NLC also continues to hammer on the government’s economic failures, particularly the ongoing cash scarcity. The union expressed outrage over the way Nigerians are being forced to forfeit up to 5% of their funds just to access cash. This is a situation that only worsens the economic hardship that the majority of the population is already suffering from. As if that wasn’t enough, the NLC is also alarmed by the persistent insecurity plaguing the country, noting that Nigerians have paid N2.23 trillion in ransom this year alone. It’s a situation that continues to get worse, with an alarming number of Nigerians losing their lives and being kidnapped every year.
On top of that, the NLC is taking issue with the current tax system, particularly the ongoing Tax Bill before the National Assembly. The union argues that workers have been excluded from the discussions about this bill, which it calls “unacceptable” and a violation of tax justice. The NLC’s message is clear, if labour isn’t at the table, it is on the menu. This exclusion from the tax reform process is just another example of how the government continues to overlook the people who are supposed to benefit from these changes.
The NLC is calling for a complete halt to the Tax Bill and demands broader consultation with Nigerian workers. They insist that the bill, in its current form, is politically motivated and doesn’t reflect the needs of the people. For them, a fair tax system is one that is inclusive and ensures transparency and accountability.
As for the government’s approach to handling Nigeria’s worsening socio-economic conditions, the NLC is blunt, it has failed the people, and the consequences are all too visible.
