The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has warned that workers across the country may embark on industrial action if the worsening wave of terrorism, banditry, and kidnappings is not urgently addressed.
The unions said the security situation has reached a breaking point, leaving citizens increasingly vulnerable and fearful across different parts of the country.
The warning was issued on Monday in Geneva, Switzerland, during a joint media briefing on the sidelines of the 114th International Labour Conference, where both unions expressed deep frustration over what they described as the government’s inability to curb insecurity.
Labour leaders said the threat of strike action was borne out of growing concern over the safety of workers and Nigerians at large, insisting that continued violence against citizens had become unacceptable.
“The labour movement cannot stand idly by while Nigerians are terrorised daily. If the insecurity persists, we will be left with no choice but to mobilise workers nationwide for industrial action,” the leaders said.
The unions also dismissed claims by some state governors that negotiations were ongoing with labour over a proposed ₦100,000 minimum wage, describing such assertions as misleading and not reflective of current discussions on workers’ welfare.
They insisted that the realities facing workers were being downplayed at a time when insecurity and economic hardship were worsening across the country.
They further cautioned that failure to address the situation could trigger a nationwide shutdown, as workers continue to express growing concern over safety and welfare conditions.