BREAKING: NLC, TUC Declare Indefinite Strike In Nigeria From October 3

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria have jointly declared an indefinite strike set to commence on October 3rd.

The labour unions have advised Nigerians to stockpile essential food items, as the strike is expected to disrupt economic activities across the country.

This decision was announced by the President of NLC, Joe Ajaero, and the TUC’s Festus Osifo, following separate Emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meetings held in Abuja.

In a joint communique, they cited the strike as a response to what they perceive as the government’s insensitivity to the suffering of Nigerians, particularly due to the removal of petrol subsidies and the government’s perceived reluctance to address the issue.

Ajaero, who spoke first, criticized the Federal Government for its perceived lackadaisical approach in addressing the unions’ demands during the 21-day ultimatum and the subsequent two-day nationwide warning strike in September 2023.

He noted that the NLC and TUC NECs condemned the government’s apparent delay in mitigating the hardship caused by the petrol price hike, acknowledging the widespread suffering experienced by citizens nationwide.

Ajaero accused the government of failing to engage in meaningful and constructive dialogue and of abandoning the Nigerian people and workers to extreme poverty. He asserted that the government’s actions showed a lack of empathy for the hardships endured by Nigerians.

He saied that the government had not adequately addressed the demands of Nigerian workers and the people, as outlined in their previously agreed-upon roadmap to economic recovery and relief from suffering.

“As a result of the unconscionable hike in the price of Petrol (PMS) by the Government, the Government has continued to demonstrate not just an unwillingness to mitigate the massive hardship in the country but also a complete lack of intention to take positive steps and empathy for the multi-dimensionally impoverished citizens of Nigeria.

“The federal Government has therefore not met in any substantial way, the demands of Nigerian workers and peoples as previously canvassed in our mutually agreed roadmap to salvaging the economy and protecting workers and Nigerians from the monumental hardship

“The grace period given by the two labour centres has expired but trade unions continue to face severe threat from the State via the brutal and suppressive power of the Police and Government.

“The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) continues to be illegally occupied by the Government via the instrumentality of the police who have cloned the leadership of NURTW.

“The Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) continues to be illegally occupied by the Lagos State government in total disregard to the Courts and the statutes.

“That the State has continued to blackmail and sponsor serious campaigns of calumny against trade union leaders in the social media using its buying and coercive powers instead of making efforts to lift the burden on the masses,” the NLC President stated.

When Osifo got hold of the microphone, he said, consequently, the NLC and TUC NEC-in-Session resolved as follows: “to, in the spirit of the Independence Day celebration and to demonstrate our resolve for a truly independent Nigeria to take our destinies in our own hands and rescue our nation

“To embark on an indefinite and total shutdown of the nation beginning on zero hours Tuesday, the 3rd day of October, 2023. To direct all workers in Nigeria to withdraw their services from their respective workplaces commencing from the 3rd of October.

“To direct all affiliates and state councils to immediately start mobilizing accordingly for action to organize street protests and rallies until Government responds positively to our demands

“We enjoin all patriotic Nigerians to join hands across the nation to assist this government put the people back at the centre of its policies and programmes.”

This comes weeks after the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) declared a two-day warning strike in protest against the effects of the removal of petrol subsidies on the citizens.