…as CSO vows to enforce sit-at-home
BENJAMIN OMOIKE
NIGERIA – In a bid to ensure full compliance of the nationwide indefinite strike action, the affiliates of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have commenced mobilisation.
This is as the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI), and the United Action Front of Civil Society, the organised platform of civil society groups and activists on matters of governance and democracy in Nigeria have began massive mobilisation of members for the strike action.
Recall that the two labour centres had on Tuesday, declared an indefinite strike to commence on October 3 against the subsidy removal policy of the Federal Government, including its perceived failure to put in place far reaching palliatives for the most vulnerable citizens.
In a memo issued by NUPENG, the union described as disturbing and unfortunate, the insensitivity being displayed by the Federal Government and other tiers of governments.
NUPENG carpeted government as being insensitive to the excruciating and debilitating socio/economic pains Nigerians are passing through as a result of very harsh and sudden economic policies taken by this administration.
It regretted that these policies were without any accompanying socio/economic measures to ameliorate or cushion the immediate effects and impacts on the citizenry.
“Consequent upon the joint resolution of the National Executive Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress as the outcome of the joint National Executive Council meeting of the two Labour Federation, held on 25th September, 2O23, we wish to inform all our members in the formal and informal sectors of the Nigeria oil and gas industry and alert the general public that the rank and file members of our union are hereby directed to commence full mobilisation and ensure an unwavering compliance with the directive of the two labour centres to all affiliate unions to embark on a nationwide industrial action from midnight of 3rd October, 2023,” NUPENG intimated its members.
The Oil and Gas union equally berated the government over what it described as total lack of respect and regards to organised labour and the Nigerian masses.
“It is in the light of the above, that NUPENG as a responsive and responsible affiliate Union of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), will fully comply with the resolution of the joint NEC meeting and we hereby direct the leaders in the four (4) Zonal Councils of our great Union to mobilise all our members in the formal and informal sectors to shut down services effective 3rd October, 2023.
“All NUPENG members, including the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), Petrol Stations Workers (PSW), Liquefied Petroleum Gas Retailers (LPGAR) and all other allied workers in the value chain of petroleum products distribution must comply with this directive from midnight of Tuesday, 3rd October 2023.
“All Branches and Units of our Union are to take note and ensure full compliance by setting up Compliance and Monitoring Teams in all operational locations,” NUPENG emphasised
In a similar development, the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI), in a letter addressed to all principal officers, unit presidents, and secretaries, the union directed her members to join the strike action.
“We write to notify you of the nationwide strike by the organised labour movements in. Nigeria (Trade Union Congress of Nigeria and Nigeria Labour Congress) to commence Nationwide strike on Tuesday, 3rd October, 2023, as a result of the failure of Government to meet the demands of labour.
“Based on this development, Members are advised to join the strike action and take necessary precaution to ensure their safety and that of the properties of the organisation in the likelihood of hoodlums and miscreants taking advantage of the situation to foment trouble or vandalize business premises.
“While we will avail you of further information as the event unfolds, please accept as always the warm regards and assurances of the National President.” The letter reads
Also, the United Action Front of Civil Society, described the fuel subsidy removal as self-serving policy of economic slavery.
The Head, National Coordinating Centre, United Action Front of Civil Society, Olawale Okunniyi, in a statement issued said it was unfortunate that while the arbitrary fuel price hike in the name of subsidy removal on premium motor spirit (PMS) has pushed most Nigerians below poverty line, government continues to play the Ostrich in spite of the promises made to labour leaders on the need for upward review of workers wages, inclusive palliatives to citizens, among others.
The leadership of the organised Civil Society therefore urged all Nigerians to rally behind NLC and TUC in protest against the insensitivity and dubious politics of the Nigerian government, which has, so far, demonstrated total lack of comprehension and sensitivity to the economic challenges facing the country.
“The leadership of the United Action Front of Civil Society wishes to enjoin all civil society Leaders, Activists, Working people in the private and public sectors as well as all well meaning Nigerians in general to team up with us in rallying support for the success of the indefinite strike action declared by Labour by making out time to be part of the Civil Society Coordinating Centre charged to enforce Citizens Sit At Home during the Nationwide Strike Action called to save Nigeria; push for living wages for the working people and better welfare conditions for Nigerians in the face of excruciating consequences of the exploitative and wrongheaded policies of government,” the statement reads.
