Hardship: Labour declares nationwide protest, threatens indefinite strike
The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Friday declared that a twoday nationwide mass protest would take place on February 27 and 28 to press home its demand over nonimplementation of the 16-point agreement it reached last October.
The president of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, who stated this at the Labour House, Abuja at a press conference, said the organised labour could no longer watch Nigerians die like chickens because of the hardship in the land.
Daily Trust Saturday reports that the organised labour, comprising both NLC and its Trade Union Congress counterpart, had on Thursday, February 8, given a 14-day strike notice, saying the notice began on February 9 and it would expire on February 22.
Ajaero said it had become paramount for the government to meet its demands with immediate effect.
He said, “On Monday, May 29, 2023, the president of the Federal Republic announced during his inaugural speech, the withdrawal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in Nigeria.
“Consequently, the price of the product, which is central to transportation and power in Nigeria, escalated across the country, throwing the it into turmoil and confusion as citizens are left stranded, thus increasing suffering, hardship and angst among the populace.
“A series of meetings were held with the federal government, culminating in the signing of an agreement, which we now call the October 2 Agreement.
“This agreement contained several safeguards, which we had believed that if implemented conscientiously, would have gone a long way to ameliorate the suffering and hardship that the ill-conceived and ill-implemented policies of the government have foisted on the masses and workers.
“The NEC-in-session considered the unfortunate state of our country, the huge suffering pervading it, the general crisis of living, the outrage expressed by the majority, and the increased attendant fears of the continued consequences of these policies and the persistent refusal of the government to implement the tenets of the October agreement.
“It also took notice of the decision of the National Administrative Council (NAC) of both congresses of the NLC and TUC to demand that the agreement be implemented.
“To this end, the NEC unanimously noted its deep disappointment and condemned the actions of the federal government in refusing to implement the agreements, and reached the following decisions: Declares a 2-day national protest on February 27 and 28 to demonstrate outrage on the mounting hardship and insecurity around the country. If demands are not met after the nationwide protest, to issue a seven-day notice that will expire on March 2, 2024 to the federal government, after which an indefinite nationwide strike will ensue.”