He Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC) has called a two-day national strike for September 5-6 to protest the Nigerian government’s failure to offer lasting solutions to the challenges caused by the removal of fuel subsidies.
NLC Chairman Joe Ajaero revealed this on Friday during a press conference at the House of Labor in Abuja.
Ajaero explained that the decision to carry out the warning strike was part of the resolutions reached at the NLC’s National Executive Committee (CNE) meeting held on Thursday.
The union accused the Nigerian government of not implementing some of the resolutions of its previous meetings.
“The CNE, in a session of the NLC, resolved to embark on a full and indefinite lockdown of the nation within 14 business days or 21 days from today until the government takes action to address the unbearable mass suffering and impoverishment experienced in the whole country.
“Begin a two-day warning strike on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 5 and 6, 2023 to demonstrate our willingness to strike indefinitely later in the month and also demand that the state vacate the illegally occupied national headquarters of the National Highway Union . Transportation workers,” Ajaero said according to Vanguard.
protests
On May 29, during his inauguration, President Bola Tinubu announced the elimination of the oil subsidy. This event has caused hardship for many Nigerians with a consequent increase in the prices of goods and services.
On August 2 last month, the NLC and TUC led Nigerian workers in nationwide protests over the rising cost of living due to government policies, especially the removal of gasoline subsidies.
Newslodge reported how the nationwide protest called by the two unions took place in various state capitals. The Abuja protest was led by the NLC and TUC Chairman Festus Osifo.
The Abuja protesters marched from the Unity Fountain to the National Assembly compound, where they were addressed by a senator, Ali Ndume, who promised that the Senate would intervene in the crisis.
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However, after the conclusion of the Abuja demonstration, the leaders of the two unions met with Mr. Tinubu.
At the end of the meeting, Ajaero told reporters that “the issues we discussed are the same ones that led to today’s protest.”
“He (President Tinubu) has expressed his position, he has made some commitments, which were made along with what the Senate said, and we will take it to the office with our colleagues to review it and release a document on our next course of action.” .
Soon after, presidential spokesman Dele Alake issued a statement announcing that the NLC had agreed to call off the protests.
“As a consequence of the fruitful and frank discussion with Chairman Tinubu and their confidence in his ability to foster open and honest consideration of all issues raised by the Labor movement, Labor leaders have resolved to halt further protests,” Mr Alake wrote.
Alake said the president promised union leaders that one of Nigeria’s four refineries would start operations by the end of this year.
“President Tinubu made a commitment to union leaders that the Port Harcourt refineries will start production in December 2023, after the completion of the ongoing rehabilitation contract between NNPCL and the Italian company Maire Tecnimont SpA,” he wrote.