NLC hails workers for successful first day of strike
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has commended workers for their massive support and efforts at ensuring that the first day of the nationwide warning strike was a resounding success across the nation. The strike, which began on Monday, September 6, 2023, was called by the NLC to protest the impact of petrol subsidy removal on the masses.
The NLC President, Joe Ajero, said in a statement that Nigerians demonstrated that their words and decisions would always be backed by action. He said that all of the congress’ objectives for the first day were fully met because of the high level of compliance experienced as a result of the collective efforts of workers around the federation.
“This has resonated in every part of the country today and we are sure that the message has been sent to those who doubt our determination to push through with our objectives,” he said.
He added that the congress saluted workers for their commitment towards ensuring that the reasons for the warning strike were fulfilled at this time. He urged them to continue with the same zeal and determination which saw the huge success that was recorded on Monday as they moved to the second and final day of the nationwide strike to ensure a complete success of the entire exercise.
“While thanking all Nigerian workers and indeed the masses for their understanding as we go through this trying time, we call for more efforts of the kind you showed today and urge all of us to join hands to ensure that all loopholes observed during today’s action are plugged so that tomorrow’s action will be a total success,” he said.
He also reiterated that it was the civic duty of Nigerians to ensure that they were governed effectively and that those in government remained accountable to the people at all times.
Government offices, hospitals, banks shut down
The strike action paralysed government secretariats, hospitals, banks and other public services in various states of the federation. In Abuja, Edo, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Kano, Nasarawa, Imo and every part of the country, NLC affiliates, including banks and government ministries and parastatal agencies complied with the strike directive.
The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) plunged the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) into darkness, while the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) disrupted economic activities at the Apapa and Tin-Can Island Ports. The port gates leading to both seaports were locked and no cargo movement was allowed.
In Benin, Edo State, state secretariat, central hospital and other facilities were shut. The NLC Chairman in the state, Odion Olaye, said the strike was total and that workers were determined to resist any attempt by the government to impose hardship on them.
In Jos, Plateau State, government secretariat, agencies, banks and activities at the state specialist hospital were paralysed. The revenue house and other offices were closed. The NLC Chairman in the state, Eugene Manji, called on workers and masses to see reasons with the union and support its struggle.
Labour accuses FG of abandoning negotiations
The NLC had last week declared a two-day warning strike over the impact of petrol subsidy removal on the masses. It accused the Federal Government of abandoning negotiations with the union and failing to implement some of the resolutions reached at previous meetings.
The NLC said that it had given enough notice to the government to address its demands before embarking on the strike. Some of its demands include:
- Reversal of petrol price hike from N165 per litre to N86 per litre
- Payment of outstanding salaries and allowances of workers
- Implementation of minimum wage across all levels
- Review of electricity tariff
- Provision of palliatives to cushion the effects of subsidy removal
The NLC also warned that if its demands were not met after the two-day warning strike, it would embark on an indefinite nationwide strike until its demands were met.
FG appeals for calm, dialogue
The Federal Government has appealed to labour leaders and workers to shelve their planned strike and return to dialogue. The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, said that the government was ready to listen to labour and address its grievances.
He said that the government had no intention to inflict hardship on Nigerians but rather to reform the petroleum sector and save money for development projects. He said that subsidy removal was inevitable as it was unsustainable and prone to corruption.
He also said that the government had taken steps to mitigate the effects of subsidy removal by providing social intervention programmes such as cash transfers, school feeding, tradermoni and others. He urged labour to consider these measures and give peace a chance.
He assured labour that the government would honour its agreements on salary payment, minimum wage implementation and electricity tariff review. He said that these issues were being worked on and would soon be resolved.
He appealed to labour to call off the strike and resume dialogue with the government in the interest of the nation.
