The National Union of Electricity
Employees (NUEE), say its members will join the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)
and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the planned indefinite nationwide strike.
The labour had threatened to go
on an indefinite nationwide strike from October 3 over the removal of the
petrol subsidy by the federal government and its attendant impacts on
Nigerians.
Specifically, the labour is
asking the government for tax exceptions, allowances to public sector workers,
reduction of cost of governance, and wage awards following the removal of the
petrol subsidy.
Earlier in the month, the NLC had embarked on a two-day warning strike after which the federal government was given a 21-day ultimatum to meet its demands.
The ultimatum expired on Tuesday
without the government attending to the requests of the union.
Also, the meeting between the
federal government and the leadership of NLC scheduled to hold on Friday to
prevent the planned nationwide strike by the unions failed to take place.
Aligning with the labour unions,
NUEE, in a statement signed by Dominic Ogwebike, acting general secretary,
directed its members to commence full mobilisation to ensure compliance with
the directive.
"Hence, we are to totally
withdraw our services and participate in street protests and rallies until the
government responds to our demands," the statement reads.
"To this effect, all
National, State and Chapter executives are requested to start mobilization of
our members in total compliance with this directive.
"Please note that withdrawal
of Services nationwide commences from 0.00 hours of Tuesday, October 3,
2023."
"The employees are
encouraged to work with the leadership of state executive councils (SEC) of the
congress in various states with a view to having a successful action."
'PENGASSAN JOINS LABOUR UNIONS' STRIKE'
On its part, the Petroleum and
Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) in a recent
statement, directed members in the formal and informal sectors of the Nigeria
oil and gas industry to commence full mobilisation for the indefinite strike.
The union directed its members to
ensure unwavering compliance with the directive of the two labour centres to
all affiliate industrial unions to embark on a nationwide industrial action
from October 3, 2023.
"The leadership of NUPENG
finds it so disturbing and unfortunate, that the federal government of Nigeria
and other tiers of governments are so insensitive to the excruciating and
debilitating socio/economic pains Nigerians are passing through as a result of
very harsh and sudden economic policies taken by this administration without
any accompanying socio/economic policies to ameliorate and cushion the
immediate effects and impacts those
difficult and harsh policies are having on the citizenry," PENGASSAN said.
The union said the "apparent
lack of regard and respect" for cries and yearnings of the organised
labour, civil society organisations and the general public by the
administration, is worrisome.
MORE TRADE UNIONS DECLARE SUPPORT FOR STRIKE
At the moment, more trade unions
have declared their support for the planned strike.
The Medical and Health Workers
Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) has directed its state councils to immediately
commence intensive mobilisation of members "in total compliance to the
indefinite strike, peaceful protest and rallies as has been declared by the
organised labour".
Also, the Non-Academic Staff
Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) in circular by Peters
Adeyemi, its general secretary, instructed its members to "embark on total
and comprehensive strike action as directed", with a view to getting the
federal government to react positively to the demands of labour.
Others unions are National
Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), the Senior Staff
Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and
Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI), the Colleges of Education Academic Staff
Union (COEASU), the Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria
(RATTAWU), and the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUHAP).
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