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From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a stern warning to the Federal Government, threatening mass mobilisation and decisive action over what it described as worsening economic hardship, spiralling insecurity and constitutional violations affecting workers and the general populace.
In a communique issued after its Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting held over the weekend in Ogun State, the NLC accused government institutions of deepening the suffering of Nigerians through inflation, insecurity, anti-worker policies, and interference in local government finances.
The labour body lamented the current state of the nation, describing it as a period when Nigerians are feeling deeply abandoned and burdened by surging food prices, prohibitive transport costs, and the erosion of real wages.
In the communique signed by its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, and General Secretary, Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, the NLC expressed outrage over the deliberate withholding of local government funds in Osun State, allegedly facilitated by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Federal Ministry of Finance, and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
It described the action as a blatant violation of the Constitution, the Fiscal Responsibility Act, and the judgment of the Court of Appeal affirming the legitimacy of the current Local Government leadership in Osun State.
The union demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all withheld funds to the affected local councils, warning that failure to comply would provoke decisive actions to protect workers’ rights and uphold the rule of law.
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It warned that unless the government and security agencies act decisively, the looming threat of famine due to farmers’ inability to access their lands would worsen food inflation already strangling households.
The Congress also rejected any move to strip labour issues from the Exclusive Legislative List in the constitution, calling on workers to mobilise and picket the offices of any lawmaker supporting such a move.
It reaffirmed its support for local government autonomy, genuine fiscal federalism, electoral reforms, and a stronger leadership recruitment process to check state capture and mediocrity.
The CWC decried ongoing violations of the Trade Union Act by employers forcing workers into specific unions and vowed to back affiliate unions in picketing defaulting organisations.
It further urged the Federal Government to speed up the nationwide rollout of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) infrastructure, noting that high transport costs continue to cripple workers and worsen inflation.
Reaffirming its commitment to defending democracy and social justice, the NLC said it would intensify engagements with all tiers of government to push for immediate policy responses to the economic crisis.
“In conclusion, the CWC resolved to intensify engagements with all tiers of government to press for immediate policy interventions to ameliorate the economic suffering of Nigerians, particularly workers who remain the engine room of national productivity. The NLC further reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the defence of democracy, economic justice, and social progress.,” the document added.
