Grace Omachoko
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced the commencement of a two-day warning strike, which will begin on tuesday with a promise to be a complete shutdown of the economy to protest the failure of the federal government to address the challenges facing Nigeria as a result of subsidy removal.
This was disclosed in a press conference at the Labour House in Abuja on Friday by the national president of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, who stated that it was the resolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC)’s decision taken in August.
NEWSTODAYNG gathered that plans are in top gear by labour unions in Nigeria as economy might be brought to its knees following the involvement of many sectors, such as manufacturing, energy, and transportation, among others, who would join the strike.
According to a Vanguard report, essential sectors of the economy and 52 other affiliates of the NLC have beefed up plans and mobilized its members ahead of the two-day warning strike.
Analysts believe the Nigerian economy will lose trillions of naira if the strike is held. Among vital unions are those considered the nerve centre of the economy, such as the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), which controls petrol distribution. Also, the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), the Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PTECSSAN), and the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE), controlling junior staff in the financial sector.
Others are the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAN), National Association of Air Pilots and Engineers (NAPE), National Union of Food Beverage and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE), The National Union of Chemical, Footwear, Rubber, Leather and Non-Metalic Products Employees (NUCFRANMPE), among others in the manufacturing industry.
