Victor EzejaThe Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have resolved to embark on nationwide strike starting from October 3, 2023 over failure of the Federal Government to meet their demands of implementing policies to cushion the effect of petrol subsidy removal on Nigerians.
The labour unions announced the decision in a communique issued at the end of virtual meetings of their respective national executive councils on Tuesday afternoon.
The two unions said they would embark on an indefinite strike that would ground activities nationwide to press home their demands.
Part of the communique issued by the organisations read: “In the spirit of the Independence Day celebration and to demonstrate our resolve for a truly independent Nigeria to take our destinies in our own hands and rescue our nation.
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“To embark on an indefinite and total shutdown of the nation beginning on zero hours Tuesday, the 3rd day of October 2023.”
According to the communique, the labour unions directed all their affiliates and state councils to begin mobilising for street protests and rallies until government yields to their demands.
“To direct all workers in Nigeria to withdraw their services from their respective workplaces commencing from the 3rd of October.
“To direct all affiliates and state councils to immediately start mobilizing accordingly for action to organize street protests and rallies until the Government responds positively to our demands.”
Recall that the NLC had organised a two-day warning strike on September 5 and 6 2023, nationwide and at the end, gave the Federal Government 21 days ultimatum to resolve lingering issues regarding the petrol subsidy removal. The ultimatum expired on Friday, September 22, 2023.
The Federal Government had after removing subsidies on petrol, announced plans to roll out palliative programmes to mitigate the impact on Nigerians. The government subsequently, said it would disburse N8,000 to 12 million Nigerian poor households for six months which was heavily criticised.
Organised labour accused the government of ignoring their recommendations.
Following the hardship inflicted on Nigerians, as a result of the petrol subsidy removal, NLC and TUC made some demands which include: immediate reversal of all anti-poor policies of the Federal Government, including the recent hike in PMS price, increase in public school fees, the release of the eight months withheld salaries of university teachers and workers as well as the increase in Value Added Tax (VAT).
Others are wage awards, tax exemptions and allowances to public sector workers, provision of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses, the release of modalities for the N70 billion for Small and Medium Enterprises.
TUC President, Mr Festus Usifo who appeared on Channels Television Sunrise Daily show, on Tuesday morning, said labour unions are tired of government’s promises that were not kept.
Mr Usifo also called on the government to release to the public, the social register it plans to use for distribution of palliatives in various states across the federation to demonstrate some level of transparency in the implementation process.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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