The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared a two-day warning strike against the Nigerian government over the removal of fuel subsidy. The strike is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, September 5th, 2023.
The NLC is accusing the government of failing to address the challenges caused by the removal of the subsidy, which has led to a sharp increase in the price of petrol. The union is also demanding that the government implement some of the resolutions from previous meetings between the two parties.
In a statement issued on Friday, September 1st, 2023, the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, said that the strike was a “last resort” and that the union was willing to negotiate with the government if it was willing to make some concessions.
“We are not unmindful of the fact that the removal of fuel subsidy will have a negative impact on the economy,” Ajaero said. “However, we believe that the government can cushion the effect of the removal by taking some measures, such as increasing the minimum wage and providing subsidies for essential commodities.”
The government has said that it is committed to addressing the challenges caused by the removal of the fuel subsidy, but it has not yet made any concrete proposals.
The strike is likely to have a significant impact on the Nigerian economy, as it will disrupt transportation, commerce, and other essential services. It is also likely to put pressure on the government to reach a negotiated settlement with the NLC.
The following are the reasons why the NLC declared a two-day warning strike against the Nigerian government:
- The removal of fuel subsidy has led to a sharp increase in the price of petrol, which has put a strain on the finances of ordinary Nigerians.
- The government has not implemented some of the resolutions from previous meetings between the NLC and the government.
- The NLC is demanding that the government take some measures to cushion the effect of the removal of the fuel subsidy, such as increasing the minimum wage and providing subsidies for essential commodities.
- The illegal take over of office of members of the union.
The strike is a last resort for the NLC, and it is hoped that the government will be willing to negotiate with the union to reach a resolution.