Grace Omachoko
The President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has called for a nationwide indefinite strike, to begin Tuesday, October 3.
This came exactly a month after the two-day warning strike embarked upon by the organised Labour.
The declaration was contained in a communique after an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, jointly read by NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, and his counterpart, Festus Osifo, of TUC.
Unlike the warning strike organized only by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), this time, Trade Union Congress (TUC), are also involved in the action with aim to completely shut down the nation’s economy.
To this end, Labour has advised Nigerians to stockpile foodstuff and other necessary items and prepare for a lengthy industrial action to drive home their demands for Federal Government (FG) to alleviate poverty and dire hardship in the land following government’s removal of fuel subsidy.
NEWSTODAYNG gathered that a 21-day ultimatum was given to FG to succumb to its demands or face an indefinite nationwide strike. The ultimatum however expired last week, without any response from the government.
According to the NLC President, the decision followed the FG’s failure to successfully implement policies to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians caused by the removal of fuel subsidy.
Both labour leaders warned that the strike would totally shut down economic activities in the country, blaming the indefinite strike on the alleged insensitivity of President Bola Tinubu’s government to the plight of Nigerians, even after expiration of the 21-day ultimatum.
It would be recalled that President Tinubu had on June 19 set up a Presidential Steering Committee and various sub-committees to discuss the framework to be adopted on palliatives to soften the damage caused by the subsidy removal and the consequences of regular petrol price increase with its harsh socio-economic effects on Nigerians.
Though the FG made a commitment to restructure the framework for engagement with organized Labour on palliatives, the eight-week timeframe set for the conclusion of the process expired in August with no concrete action taken.
Among other things, the NLC and TUC are demanding for wage awards for workers following the high rise in transportation and living costs, joint FG and Labour implementation of palliatives, tax exemptions and allowances to public sector workers as well as a review of the minimum wage of N30,000.
The statement reads, “The Government has totally abdicated this responsibility and has shown gross unwillingness to act, abandoning Nigerian people and workers to excruciating poverty and affliction.
“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.
“To embark on an indefinite and total shutdown of the nation beginning on zero hours Tuesday, the 3rd day of October, 2023.
“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 Government responds positively to our demands.
“To enjoin all patriotic Nigerians to join hands across the nation to assist this government put the people back at the centre of its policies and programmes.”
NEWSTODAYNG also gathered that labour leaders in different states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have commenced mobilization of workers and ordinary Nigerians towards a success strike action.
A labour leader said: ”Banks will be shut. Airports and seaports will not work. All government offices will be under lock and key. Government hospitals will not open. Markets will be closed down. Public transportation will be impacted. Even your phone signals will be impacted as their workers are also members of NLC and TUC.
”Nigerians are suffering in the midst of plenty. Should this be so? Let public-spirited persons rise up and call on government to do the needful and meet the demands of ordinary Nigerians and workers for an all-inclusive nation where we all can share in benefiting from what Almighty God in His infinite wisdom has given freely to all of us.”