On Wednesday, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), called on the Federal Government to reverse all “anti-poor” and anti-workers policies within a week’s time. Failure to comply could result in a nationwide strike. It listed the policies as including the recent petrol price hike, the increase in school fees and the Value Added Tax increase.
Firstly, they called for the immediate release of the eight months’ withheld salary of university lecturers. Secondly, they demanded the prompt inauguration of the Presidential Steering Committee, as agreed upon during earlier consequential dialogues.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has taken a firm stance, resolving to call on all civil society organizations and Nigerians, regardless of their location, to begin mobilization for action if the Federal Government fails to meet their demands before August 2.
Joe Ajaero and Emmanuel Ugboaja, the president and the secretary of the NLC respectively stated this in a communique they jointly issued at the end of the congress’ emergency Central Working Committee. They alleged government’s insensitivity to the plights of Nigerians.
The NLC said it wondered why the government had continued to treat Nigerians as slaves and a conquered people by treating them with impunity.
It alleged that the government had shown enormous disdain and contempt for Nigerian people and workers having acted and continued to act “without regards to the welfare and cries of the citizenry”, expressing its concern that the government’s actions appear to be akin to waging a war of attrition against Nigerian workers and the general population, showing a lack of concern for their well-being
The NLC resolved to lead and organize mass protest rallies across Nigeria to demonstrate outrage against “the inhuman” actions and policies of the government.
It also resolved to direct all its affiliates and state councils to begin immediate mobilization and closely work with associations, individuals and other entities, including the ones already on the streets, to ensure that the government listens to the people.
The President reacts….
The President, Bola Tinubu later reacted to the labour union plights , he appealed to the oraganised labour to exercise patient while he look at their grievances rather than embark on industrial action.
The speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, disclosed this to reporters after he briefed the president on the outcome of their engagement with the National Association of Resident Doctors, which had declared a nationwide strike action.
He said the president appealed that he was new in office and needed time to evaluate the issues being raised by workers and the House would also invite the NLC to hear their grievances and persuaded it to shelve its planned strike.
Speaking after the meeting, President of NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero said the meeting has nothing to do with the proposed protest.
Ajaero said, “Well the outcome is very brief. We met based on N520 increase and the committee that was set based on that that and we agreed to work to realize the objectives that was set during that moment.”
Asked if the NLC will go ahead with the threat to go on strike on August 2 if the federal government failed to reverse alleged anti-labour policies, Ajaero said, “Well, protest,? I wouldn’t know, we are going ahead with the protest because we have to be emphatic on what we put in our communique, we said we’re commencing protests from the 2nd.”
