NLC, TUC declare indefinite strike
Organised Labour under the aegis of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) have declared a nationwide indefinite strike from October 3, 2023.
The Unions, at a joint press briefing on Tuesday, said the action followed the failure of the Federal Government to address the suffering and other socioeconomic hardships caused by the removal of subsidy on petrol.
The NLC had, on Tuesday, September 12, threatened to embark on an indefinite strike “if the Federal Government fails to meet its demands” over the removal of fuel subsidy.
Some of the demands made by the labour leaders in the wake of the fuel subsidy removal by the government of President Bola Tinubu include “upward wage review, tax exemptions and allowances to public sector workers, provision of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses, the release of modalities for the N70bn for Small and Medium Enterprises, the release of officials of the National Union of Road Transport Workers by the police” among others.
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NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, had on September 2, said its National Executive Committee (NEC) had resolved that workers embarked “on a total and indefinite shutdown of the nation within 14 working days or 21 days until steps are taken by the Government to address the excruciating mass suffering and impoverishment being experienced around the country.”
Labour had, on Tuesday, September 5, embarked on a two-day warning strike to demonstrate readiness for the indefinite strike.
Speaking on Tuesday, during a joint press briefing, NLC President, Joe Ajaero, said an indefinite strike became inevitable owing to the government’s lackadaisical stance in meeting demands raised by both unions.
Ajaero said the executive councils of both unions, having taken into consideration the stance of the government in the wake of the subsidy removal policy, left them with no option but to call for an indefinite strike.
“The FG has put nothing to the table. There is no agreement from all the resolutions that are mutually signed. The government is not prepared. This is the first government to remove fuel subsidy and is very confused on actions to take,” he said.
On his part, the President of the TUC, Festus Osifo, said they resolved that beginning from October 3rd, all workers are expected to withdraw their services.