The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, on Friday, directed its members and affiliate unions to begin mobilisation for a two-day nationwide protest expected to take place on February 27 and 28, if the federal government fails to implement all the agreements signed with it in October 2023.
The two-day nationwide protest according to the communique signed by the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero and the acting General Secretary, Comrade Ismail Bello will be taking place at the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum it had earlier issued.
President of the NLC, Comrade Ajaero, who addressed newsmen at the end of the union’s National Executive Council, (NEC) meeting in Abuja, asked his members to be on standby for an indefinite strike which would commence seven days after the nationwide protest if government still fails to meet its demands.
Ajaero noted that Labour was no longer interested in empty talks from the government but actions, urging the government to immediately implement the agreement and restore faith in the democratic process, as Nigerians were struggling to survive.
A communique read by the Congress President at the end of the meeting noted that on Monday, 29th May 2023, President Bola Tinubu announced during his inaugural speech the withdrawal of Subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in Nigeria.
It said that that singular pronouncement immediately led to the price of the product, which is central to transportation and power in Nigeria, escalated across the nation, throwing the nation into turmoil and confusion as citizens were left stranded, thus increasing suffering, hardship and angst among the populace.
It read: “Series of meetings were held with the federal government culminating in the signing of an Agreement which we now call the October 2 Agreement. This Agreement contained several safeguards which we had believed if implemented conscientiously would have gone a long way to ameliorate the suffering and hardship that the ill-conceived and ill-implemented policies of the government have foisted on the masses and workers
“It also took notice of the decision of the National Administrative Council (NAC) of the both Congresses of the NLC and TUC to demand that the Agreement be implemented.
“To this end, NEC unanimously noted its deep disappointment and condemned the actions of the federal government in refusing to implement the agreements and reached the following decisions:
“That it reaffirms the 14days notice issued by the federal government within which to implement the Agreement and address the mounting crisis of survival in Nigeria.
“That the Notice expires on the Midnight of Thursday, the 22nd of February, 2024. If on expiration, Congress is not satisfied with the level of the Government’s compliance with the conditions of the Notice, it will be at liberty to take action that will compel the Government to implement the agreement.
“Declares a 2-day National Protest on 27th and 28th of February to demonstrate outrage on the mounting hardship and insecurity around the nation.
“If demands are not met after the nationwide protests to issue a Seven-Day notice that will expire on the 2nd day of March 2024 to the federal government after which an indefinite nationwide strike will ensue.
“That Nigerian workers and people are not interested in empty talk now but action so, calls on all of affiliates, state Councils and Civil Society Allies to start mobilizing across the nation for effective action as the deadline approaches.
“As such, in light of the urgency of the situation and the continued suffering of the Nigerian people and Workers, the NEC-in-session calls for immediate action from the federal government to rectify these grievances and restore faith in the democratic process and social dialogue.”
Vanguard/Simeon Ugbodovon
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