Nigeria Labour Congress fumes, vows to commence nationwide warning strike Tuesday
The Nigeria Labour Congress says it will commence a two-day warning strike in preparation for a 21-day nationwide shutdown starting from Tuesday September 5, 2023.
The decision was made at the conclusion of the National Executive Council meeting, which took place in the early hours of Friday.
The labour union, in communique jointly signed by its national president, Joe Ajaero and Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, said it decided to take the decision following the failure of the Nigerian government to commence talks and engage stakeholders on efforts to cushion the effects of the removal of subsidy petrol on the masses.
On the resolutions it took, the NLC NEC 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 impoverishment being experienced around the country.
“To commence a two-day nationwide warning strike on Tuesday & Wednesday the 5th & 6th of 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;
“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 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.”