Subsidy Removal: NLC Begins Nationwide Warning Strike Tuesday

*Workers to down tools for 2 days, FG gets 21-day ultimatum to resolve dispute

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has threatened to cripple Nigeria’s economy starting with a two-day warning strike next week over unresolved issues around the removal of petrol subsidy by the federal government.
The warning strike which will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday next week is expected to “culminate into a total strike if after 21 days, the government failed to resolve the dispute over palliatives to cushion the impact of fuel price hike.”
President Bola Tinubu, in his inaugural address on May 29, removed the subsidy on petrol, resulting in the product selling at a high of between N568 and N630 now.

The warning strike decision was reached at the National Executive Council, NEC, meeting of the Congress on Thursday.
A communique released by the NLC, jointly signed by its National President, Joe Ajaero and Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, said it decided to take the decision following the failure of the Tinubu government to enter into dialogue and engage stakeholders within the organised labour on efforts to cushion the effects of the removal of petrol subsidy “on the masses”.

The organised labour had in August staged a one-day protest which grounded activities in major cities across the country.
While listing some of the other reasons why it would mobilise its members for the nationwide shutdown, the NLC accused the Nigeria Police of laying siege to the national headquarters of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), alleged exploitation of the rights of workers in Imo State, interference in trade union matters by the Abia State Government and the proposed demolition by the new Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, among others.
Addressing journalists yesterday on the resolutions by NEC, Ajaero said, “NEC in session of NLC resolved to embark on a total and indefinite shutdown of the nation within 14 working days or 21 days from today until steps are taken by the government to address the excruciating mass suffering and the impoverishment experienced around the country.

“To commence a two-day warning strike on Tuesday and Wednesday, 5th and 6th September 2023 to demonstrate our readiness for the indefinite strike later in the month and to also demand that the state vacates the illegally occupied national headquarters of the National Union of Road Transport Workers.”
Ajaero explained that the federal government had refused to engage and reach an agreement with the organised labour “on critical issues on the consequences of the unfortunate hike in prices of petrol which has unleashed massive suffering on Nigerian workers and masses.”
He said, “There is a renewed onslaught against trade unions and its leadership by the states and its agents across Nigeria. The Police under the instruction of certain forces peddling the name of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria invaded and illegally occupied the national headquarters of the NURTW seeking to install its own executive.”

In the communique, the NLC further resolved, “To embark on a mass protest and rally in Imo State within this month of September 2023 in preparation for a major shutdown of the state to compel the state government to stop the abuse and violation of the rights and privileges of workers and trade unions in the state.
“To begin the shutdown of the operations of Air Peace Airline and other companies in the aviation sector that are involved in serial violation of the rights of workers in the sector to freedom of association and to collectively bargain and organise.
“To call on communities around the nation to stop taking the law into their own hands but report to the authorities for amicable resolution any matter involving members of the Amalgamated Union of Food Stuffs and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria which is one of our affiliates.
“To demand that the new Minister of the Federal Capital Territory desists from threatening poor masses in the FCT with demolition of their properties built from their years of toil but should focus more on making houses available to the people. He is not a Minister of Demolition and should be prepared to meet Nigerian workers and citizens on the street if he carries out his insensitive utterances.”