On the eve of the planned nationwide protests by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) scheduled for February 27 and 28, 2024, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has taken a different stance. In a memo issued on Monday night, TUC President Festus Osifo directed all members and affiliates across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to continue with their normal work activities on the aforementioned dates. “I write to direct all affiliates and the thirty-six state Councils and FCT of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria to ensure they go to work unfailingly on these dates,” Osifo stated, expecting compliance from the members.
The directive comes amidst the NLC’s plan to protest against the deteriorating economic conditions and the escalating cost of living in Nigeria. Despite the government’s last-ditch efforts to halt the protest, led by Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, who met with labor leaders including the NLC and TUC on Monday night, the TUC has decided not to participate in the NLC’s demonstrations.
At a press conference in Abuja on the same day, Osifo highlighted the pressing need to address the new national minimum wage’s enactment into law as a matter of urgency. He pointed out the acute hunger and hardship Nigerian workers and citizens are enduring. According to Osifo, the prompt enactment and implementation of the new minimum wage by both the government and the private sector would significantly improve workers’ disposable income and purchasing power.
In his address, Osifo also shed light on the TUC’s efforts over the past weeks to delve into the root causes of Nigeria’s economic challenges and explore potential solutions. He attributed the country’s economic woes primarily to uncontrolled Naira devaluation and rampant insecurity. To combat these issues, the TUC proposed a series of short, medium, and long-term solutions. These include fixing the real value of the Naira, taking deliberate steps to address the issue of sub-national governments injecting billions of dollars monthly into the parallel market, and the dollarisation of political party primaries and electioneering.
Furthermore, Osifo called for a clampdown on speculative trading in the foreign exchange market, an emphasis on patronizing made-in-Nigeria goods, strengthening the economic management team, and curbing crude oil theft, among other measures. The TUC’s approach underscores the complexity of Nigeria’s economic difficulties and the need for comprehensive strategies to address them effectively.