A meeting between labour and government leaders is being delayed because government and NLC counterparties have not shown up.  

The meeting was scheduled to begin by 7:00PM in Abuja, but had still not begun as of 8:30PM.

A previous meeting between Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila and labour unions NLC and TUC was deadlocked in the afternoon. The unions said after that meeting that they will begin a strike on Monday as planned.  

Labour is protesting against the recent hike in petrol and electricity prices. Unions want the price changes reversed.

Speaker Gbajabiamila tried to dissuade the union leaders, promising the government would palliate the inflationary effects of the recent price changes in the 2021 budget.

The palliative measures the speaker promised include the distribution of food items, reduction of taxes for people on the minimum wage.

Meanwhile, two NLC affiliates have told Peoples Gazette that they would take part in the strike on Monday. The Nigeria Civil Service Union, which comprises federal civil service workers, told the Gazette it is committed to the NLC’s plan “from top to bottom’.   

A nationwide NLC strike could shut down parts of the economy.