NLC and TUC led, during a protest against subsidy removal and other issues
The Nigeria Labour Congres (NLC) has declared a two-day warning strike which will begin on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, over the hardship being faced by Nigerians over the fuel subsidy removal.
NLC President, Joe Ajaero who handed down the threat, in Abuja on Friday, warned that the union would mobilise its affiliates to embark on an indefinite strike if the federal government does not take steps to address the excruciating pains Nigerians face at the moment.
Ajaero, at a briefing with journalists, said that the organised labour will also embark on an indefinite and total shutdown of the country if nothing is done on the expiration of the warning strike.
The strike, according to him, was to demonstrate discontent with the federal government over its failure to establish essential structures to address the widespread suffering of Nigerians occasioned by the fuel subsidy removal.
He said the decision was reached on Thursday evening after an all-inclusive session meeting of the congress’ National Executive Council (NEC) that had analysed the prevailing national issues.
He further stated that the NLC NEC has considered the government’s deliberate neglect and disregard for engaging with national stakeholders through the channels of social dialogue, a commitment it declared during the President’s inaugural address on May 29, 2023.
Ajaero also said the strike will involve mass protests and rallies in Imo State against the state government’s alleged abuse and violation of the rights and privileges of workers and trade unions in the state.
He said the union arrived at the decision after a National Executive Council meeting in Abuja.
Besides, the Congress accused the federal government of meddling in the union’s affairs, especially the activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).
It lamented that the masses were going through pains following the removal of fuel subsidy, saying that there is nothing tangible to ameliorate the suffering of the masses.
Ajaero said: “We have resolved to embark on a total and indefinite shutdown of the nation within 14 working days or 21 days from today until steps are taken by the government to address the excruciating mass suffering and impoverishment being experienced around the country.
“We will commence a 2-day nationwide warning strike on Tuesday & Wednesday the 5th & 6th of September, 2023 to demonstrate our readiness for the indefinite strike later in the month and to also demand that the State vacates the illegally occupied National Headquarters of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).
“We also resolved to embark on a mass protest and rally in Imo State within this month of September 2023 in preparation for a major shutdown of the state to compel the state government to stop the abuse and violation of the rights and privileges of workers and trade unions in the state.
“We are set to begin the shutdown of the operations of Airpeace Airline and other companies in the Aviation sector that are involved in serial violation of the rights of workers in the sector to freedom of Association and to collectively bargain and Organise.”
Other issues of concern that necessitated the strike include; the takeover of the national secretariat of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW ) by the officers of the Nigerian Police Force, renewed onslaught against trade unions and its leadership by some state governments, unresolved industrial dispute between NLC and the Abia State government.
The organised labour also demanded that the new minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, desist from threatening poor masses in the FCT with the demolition of their properties and focus more on making houses available to the people.
Other issues of discontent, according to NLC, include continued violation of the rights of workers to join unions of their choice by certain aviation companies and the need for the federal government to address attack on farmers and citizens by herdsmen across the nation.
The NLC is accusing the Federal Government of going back on the negotiations and failing to implement some of the resolutions from previous meetings that were held.
On August 2, the NLC held a protest on what it described as the anti-people policies of the current administration.
The NLC, Trade Union Congress (TUC), and their affiliate unions demonstrated in Abuja and several states, including Lagos, Abia, Plateau, Kaduna, Kano, and Rivers.
The protest also occurred in Zamfara, Katsina, Cross River, Ebonyi, Enugu, Kwara, Ogun, Imo, Ondo, and Edo.
The protest was due to a seven-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government demanding the immediate reversal of all anti-poor policies of the federal government.
The policies include the recent hike in PMS (Premium Motor Spirit) price, increase in public school fees, the release of the eight months withheld salary of university lecturers and workers”.
Also, the union demanded an upward review of the minimum wage from N30,000 to N200,000, saying that since the President’s “subsidy is gone” inauguration speech of May 29, 2023, the peace of mind of Nigerians has gone.
President Tinubu announced the removal of fuel subsidy after his swearing-in on May 29 in Abuja.
