NLC, TUC declare total, indefinite strike from October 3
By Emma Ogbuehi
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), on Tuesday, agreed to withdraw their services nationwide from Tuesday, October 3, in what has been described as indefinite, total strike.
The two labour centres directed their affiliates to mobilise for protests from October 3.
The Organised Labour took the decision after an NLC, TUC joint National Executive Council meeting on Tuesday, September 26, in Abuja.
Comrade Joe Ajaero, NLC President, said the government has “substantially failed to meet its demands after the removal of fuel subsidy.”
Recall that on September 5th and 6th, the NLC embarked on a two-day warning strike which led to the partial crippling of economic activities in some states.
It gave the government a 21-day ultimatum to meet its demands.
But the TUC was not part of the warning strike.
On Tuesday, Ajaero said the grace period given by the two labour centres had expired.
He urged Nigerians to stock their homes ahead of the planned nationwide strike.
The organised labour is demanding wage awards for public workers and a new minimum wage.
The other demands made by the organized labour to cushion the effects of the May 29 subsidy removal are tax exemptions and allowances to public sector workers, provision of Compressed Natural Gas buses, the release of modalities for the N70 billion for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and immediate reversal of all anti-poor policies of the Federal Government.
It also wants a stop to the increase in public school fees, the release of the eight months withheld salaries of university teachers and workers as well as the increase in Value Added Tax (VAT).
Leaders of the NLC), and TUC agreed to hold a joint press conference at 3 p.m. today to announce a nationwide indefinite strike after what seemed to be friction between the two labour centres.
On Tuesday, September 5, and Wednesday 6, 2023, NLC without the TUC went on a two-day warning strike to urge the government to address the mass painful suffering of Nigerians, particularly workers.
Sources told TheNiche that leaders of the two labour unions have settled their disputes, which caused only the NLC to go on a two-day warning strike without the cooperation of the TUC.
Following their separate organs’ meetings, the two centres agreed to hold the joint press conference at 3 p.m. to announce the indefinite nationwide strike in response to the Federal Government’s failure to address the sufferings in the country and other socioeconomic hardships caused by the removal of subsidies on Premium Motor, PMS, commonly known as petrol.
