The Nigeria Labour Congress has written all its 43 affiliate
unions to mobilise for a scheduled industrial action primed to begin on Wednesday,
June 7, 2023.
The strike follows the increment in the pump price of
Premium Motor Spirit. Some of the affiliates of the NLC include – the Academic
Staff Union of Universities, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Nigeria
Union of Teachers, Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria, National Association of
Nigeria Nurses and Midwives among others.
In a letter written to the affiliates which was signed by
the NLC General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, the Congress said, “We bring you
greetings from the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress. You will recall
that arising from the National Executive Council meeting held on 2nd June 2023,
it was decided that Congress will embark on a nationwide action and withdrawal
of services, against the fraudulent increase in the prices of fuel across the
thirty-six states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the FCT.
“Please be informed that the nationwide action will commence
on Wednesday, 7th June, 2023. To this effect, all National Leadership are
expected to mobilise their members for the action and ensure full compliance
with the directives as services in both the public and private sector are
expected to be fully withdrawn by Wednesday, 7th June, 2023. All Presidents and
General Secretaries are expected to help ensure the implementation of the
decisions of the National Executive Council,” the NLC remarked.
Recall that on Monday, during his inaugural speech at the
Eagle Square in Abuja, the President, Bola Tinubu declared that the era of
subsidy payment on fuel has ended.
Tinubu had also disclosed that the 2023 budget did not make
provision for fuel subsidy as such, further payment is no longer justifiable.
“The fuel subsidy is gone,” Tinubu had declared, adding that
his government would instead channel funds into infrastructure and other areas
to strengthen the economy.
The presidential pronouncement led to an instant resurgence
of fuel queues across the country, with Nigerians lamenting the sharp increase
in the price of petrol at the various filling stations.
Although Tinubu’s decision received backing from the NNPCL
and the House of Representatives, it has since been resisted by the NLC and
Trade Union Congress of Nigeria.
The organised labour has insisted that the President cannot
unilaterally take a decision on subsidy removal.
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