The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed its members nationwide to commence a seven-day mobilisation for a strike starting Friday, August 22
The decision, announced at the conclusion of the NLC’s Central Working Committee, signals a total shutdown across the country unless the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) accounts for and returns an alleged 40 per cent of workers’ contributions that were reported as centred. The union has set a seven-day deadline for compliance.
In a communique signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero, the labour body expressed outrage over what it described as a “blatant assault” on workers’ social protection rights through the Federal Government’s alleged diversion of workers’ funds into the national treasury in violation of the statutes establishing the NSITF.
The NLC also condemned the NSITF administration’s recent claims of ownership over the NLC National Headquarters, a property the union insists belongs to Nigerian workers. The union further criticised what it termed cyber and media harassment, as well as covert attempts to amend the NSITF Act in ways that could disenfranchise workers and give the government full control over their funds.
