By John Ikani
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is set to embark on a two-day warning strike commencing on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, in response to the unresolved issues surrounding the removal of fuel subsidy.
President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, made this known during a press conference held at the Labour House in Abuja on Friday.
The core contention raised by the NLC is the Federal Government’s perceived lack of commitment to address the challenges arising from the removal of fuel subsidy.
According to Ajaero, the government has reneged on previous negotiations and has failed to implement resolutions agreed upon during past meetings.
On August 2, 2023, the NLC staged a protest denouncing what they deemed as anti-people policies implemented by the current administration.
The protest, jointly organized with the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and affiliated unions, saw demonstrations taking place in various states, including Lagos, Abia, Plateau, Kaduna, Kano, Rivers, Zamfara, Katsina, Cross River, Ebonyi, Enugu, Kwara, Ogun, Imo, Ondo, and Edo.
The protest stemmed from a seven-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government, demanding the immediate reversal of all policies deemed detrimental to the welfare of the people.
The policies encompassed the recent hike in PMS (Premium Motor Spirit) prices, increased public school fees, and the release of eight months’ withheld salary for university lecturers and workers.
Furthermore, the union’s demands include a substantial increase in the minimum wage, from N30,000 to N200,000.
They contend that the peace of mind enjoyed by Nigerians has been disrupted since President Tinubu announced the removal of fuel subsidy in his inauguration speech on May 29, 2023, after being sworn in as President in Abuja.
