Civil Society Slams Osun NLC Strike: A Warning Against Sympathy Actions

Civil society organisations in Osun State have spoken out against the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over its three-day sympathy strike, which began on Wednesday. The World Institute for Peace (WIP), a leading civil society organisation, warned that the strike could exacerbate the current economic hardships faced by Osun residents and undermine ongoing negotiations between the state government and the union. According to THISDAYLIVE, the WIP’s Executive Director, Lamina Omotoyosi, said the strike would only add to the suffering of the people and urged both parties to engage in dialogue to resolve the issue of withheld local government council funds.

The NLC had announced the strike in solidarity with the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), who are demanding the immediate release of their withheld salaries by the Osun State Government. This is not the first time the NLC has embarked on a strike in Osun State, and the WIP’s warning comes as a call for restraint and reasoned negotiation.

While the NLC has not responded to the criticism, the Osun State Government has yet to comment on the ongoing strike. The impact of the strike on the state’s economy and daily life remains uncertain, but the WIP’s warning serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of escalating labour disputes.