…says land, air, water transportation will be locked, advises Nigerians to stockpile foodstuff
OSAS EMMANUEL
ABUJA, Nigeria – The organised labour under the auspices of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), have declared a nationwide indefinite strike commencing from October 3.
This was contained in a communique jointly read by the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero and his TUC counterpart, Festus Osifo after her emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja.
According to the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, the decision followed the federal government’s failure to successfully implement policies to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians caused by the removal of the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol.
The two labour centres advised Nigerians to stockpile foodstuffs because the strike would totally shut down economic activities in the country.
The labour centres blamed the indefinite strike on the alleged insensitivity of government to the plights of Nigerians, even after exhausting the 21-day ultimatum issued by the NLC which ended last week.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu had on June 19, set up the Presidential Steering Committee and various sub-committees to discuss the framework to be adopted on the palliatives.
Though the FG made a commitment to restructure the framework for engagement with organised 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 the TUC are asking for wage awards, implementation of palliatives, tax exemptions and allowances to public sector workers and a review of the minimum wage.
The communique signed by the NLC and TUC presidents during the NEC meeting observed that there is no disagreement between Labour and Government on the existence of massive suffering, impoverishment and hunger in the country as a result of the hike in the price of Petrol which demands an urgent need for remedial action.
“The Government has totally abdicated this responsibility and has shown gross unwillingness to act abandoning Nigerian people and workers to excruciating poverty and affliction.
Consequently, the NLC and TUC NEC-in-Session resolved as follows: “To, 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 mobilising accordingly for action to organise 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.”
