The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have temporarily suspended their ongoing industrial action, following a joint extraordinary national executive council meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday.
TUC President Festus Osifo confirmed the decision to Channels Television, stating, “A joint NEC meeting of TUC/NLC has approved to relax the industrial action for one week with immediate effect.”
The suspension comes after the unions initiated a strike on Monday to protest the recent hike in electricity tariffs and the failure to reach a consensus on a new minimum wage. The strike severely impacted critical sectors of the Nigerian economy, leading to the shutdown of schools, businesses, hospitals, and airports. The national grid was also shut down, plunging the nation into darkness.
Osifo mentioned that a formal communique detailing the decision and the unions’ future actions would be issued shortly.
The nationwide strike action called by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) was earlier reported to have hampered the Super Eagles’ preparations for Friday’s World Cup qualifier against South Africa.
According to information from the Super Eagles camp, five of the remaining eight players who are reportedly in the country could not get to Uyo because of the NLC strike which has stalled domestic flights.
The one-week suspension is intended to allow for further negotiations and potential resolution of the unions’ grievances with the government.
