The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has warned that it may embark on industrial action if the rising cases of terrorism, banditry, and kidnappings across the country are not urgently addressed.
The labour unions issued the warning during a joint press briefing held on the sidelines of the ongoing 114th International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, where global labour leaders and delegates are currently meeting to discuss workers’ rights and welfare issues.
According to the labour leaders, the continued insecurity situation in Nigeria has reached an alarming level and is having a severe impact on workers, communities, and national productivity. They stressed that if the federal government and relevant security agencies fail to take decisive steps to curb the violence, organised labour may be left with no option but to shut down economic activities nationwide.
The NLC and TUC also reacted strongly to recent statements credited to some state governors suggesting that discussions were ongoing with labour unions regarding a proposed ₦100,000 minimum wage. They dismissed such claims as misleading, insisting that no such agreement reflects the current state of negotiations between workers and government representatives.
The unions argued that discussions around workers’ remuneration must be transparent and based on verified engagements rather than public statements that could misrepresent the position of organised labour.
They further emphasized that the worsening security crisis remains a major concern not only for workers but for all Nigerians, warning that continued neglect of the situation could trigger wider industrial unrest.
The labour bodies reiterated their commitment to defending workers’ rights and ensuring that both welfare and safety remain central priorities in national policy discussions.
More details are expected as developments unfold from the ongoing conference in Geneva.
