NLC, TUC declare indefinite nationwide strike October 3; TUC calls for action, not promises

Nigeria’s two main labour unions, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) have declared an indefinite strike starting October 3 to force the federal government to address excruciating suffering and hardship across the country, occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy.

This followed a joint press briefing held by both leadership of the union in Abuja, the nation’s capital on Tuesday.

In a communiqué, jointly read by NLC and TUC Presidents Joe Ajaero and Festus Osifo, respectively, at the Labour House, Abuja, also asked their state chapters to mobilize for protests across the country.

The unions said the indefinite strike is a result of the perceived insensitivity of the government to the plights of workers and other Nigerians, following the petrol subsidy removal and continuous demonstration of unwillingness and complete lack of initiative to address the fall-outs of the removal and other harsh economic policies.

The trade unions also accused the government of using the police to suppress their activities and sponsoring a campaign of calumny against trade union leaders on social media.

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has expressed disappointment with the Ministry of Labour and Employment over its repeated promises to fulfil the union’s demands soon.

Its demands include wage awards for federal civil servants, tax exemption for some categories of workers, as well as setting up structures for the effective implementation of the palliatives from the Federal Government.

The unions have called on all workers in Nigeria to withdraw their services from their respective workplaces commencing from October 3 and on all affiliates and state councils to immediately start mobilising accordingly for action to organise street protests and rallies until the government responds positively to their demands.

The unions have also urged all patriotic Nigerians to join hands across the nation to assist this government in putting the people back at the centre of its policies and programmes.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong has appealed to the NLC leadership to shelve the planned strike, assuring them that the Federal Government is determined to address the concerns raised.

The minister also noted that one of the major demands of the NLC in their last meeting has been met, which has to do with the release of the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Road Transport workers.

A statement signed by the spokesman of the spokesman of the ministry’s Olajide Oshundu, urged the workers’ unions to give the government a little more time to address other issues.