The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to President Bola Tinubu’s government following the administration’s failure to constitute the governing board of the National Pension Commission.
The strike notice was contained in a communiqué issued by the President of the union, Joe Ajaero.
Recall that the Central Working Committee of the labour union met on Wednesday to deliberate on urgent issues bedevilling Nigerians, particularly workers and members of the trade union movement.
According to the communiqué, the union accused the Federal Government of diverting workers’ funds, allegedly through the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF.
The government’s claim of ownership of the NLC National Headquarters is also among the issues being addressed by the union.
According to the NLC president, the property is owned by Nigerian workers and not the government.
Ajaero also lamented what he termed “cyber and media bullying of the trade unions and leadership, coupled with covert moves to amend the NSITF Act in a manner that would disenfranchise workers and give the government full control over the funds.”
Ajaero stated that NSITF must, within the seven days, account for and return all allegedly diverted funds to avert the strike.
On the Pension Commission, he said the board must be properly constituted in full compliance with the law before the seven days elapse.
Similarly, NLC warned that the Pension Commission must submit to it a full status report of the funds within the same period to forestall the looming industrial action.
“If at the end of these seven working days, nothing is done, the NLC will no longer guarantee industrial peace in the sector,” Ajaero warned.
