Two Days After NLC’s Strike, Akpabio Seeks Motion To Make Industrial Actions Illegal

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) nationwide industrial action on Tuesday has attracted controversial criticism and subtle threats from the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and other stakeholders.

In response to the NLC strike, Akpabio has threatened to introduce new provisions in the upcoming minimum wage law to address what he perceives as “extreme actions to sabotage the economy” by the NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC).

Akpabio further emphasised that the shutdown of the national grid during NLC’s strike was more a sabotage than agitation. He also decried the disruption of the Hajj flights caused by the shutdown of the International airport.

The upper legislative chamber has since disclosed that such a situation will not be allowed again, as laws against it will be amended in the soon-to-be-enacted new National Minimum Wage Act.

However, the NLC has categorically rejected Akpabio’s recent remarks that the indefinite nationwide strike on Tuesday by the NLC and TUC constituted economic sabotage.

It describes such accusations as baseless and deeply troubling for patriots and democracy advocates, reaffirming its unwavering commitment to the rights of the Nigerian workers.

In a press statement released on Wednesday, NLC reiterated its unwavering commitment to the welfare of the Nigerian people.

The June 3rd strike directly responded to the federal government’s refusal to conclude the national minimum wage negotiations, reverse electricity tariff hikes, and demand an end to discriminatory consumer classifications, according to the NLC statement.

According to NLC, Senator Akpabio’s statement undermines the democratic principles the Senate professes to uphold.

NLC has since stated that its existence played a significant role in restoring democracy to Nigeria, from which current lawmakers benefited. Therefore, any attempt to sabotage such an effort would not be allowed.

NLC’s Full Statement

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Mayowa Durosinmi

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M. Durosinmi is a West Africa Weekly investigative reporter covering Politics, Human Rights, Health, and Security in West Africa and the Sahel Region

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