The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a stern warning, indicating that it may lead Organised Labour to commence a two-day warning strike on Tuesday, September 5. The strike is a protest against the perceived mishandling of the hardship caused by the abrupt removal of the petrol subsidy by President Bola Tinubu.
The Organised Labour, consisting of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and their affiliated unions in Nigeria, previously embarked on mass protests against what they deemed “anti-people” policies implemented by President Bola Tinubu on August 2.
During these protests, they made their voices heard not only in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) but also in other states, including Lagos, Abia, Plateau, Kaduna, Kano, Rivers, Zamfara, Katsina, Cross River, Ebonyi, Enugu, Kwara, Ogun, Imo, Ondo, and Edo.
Prior to this, the NLC had issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the immediate reversal of all “anti-poor” policies, which encompassed the recent hike in PMS (Premium Motor Spirit) prices, increased public school fees, and the release of eight months’ withheld salaries of university lecturers and workers.
In their pursuit of better conditions for workers, the Organised Labour rejected palliative measures and instead called for an upward review of the minimum wage, from N30,000 to N200,000.
In a temporary respite, the NLC suspended the nationwide mass protest in August, allowing for further negotiations and reconsideration. However, the President has taken no action regarding wage reviews or salary increases for workers since the removal of the petrol subsidy, despite prior promises, even during the election campaign.
Rather than focusing on wage revisions, the President opted to distribute N5 billion in palliative intervention funds to all 36 states of the Federation, including the Federal Capital Territory. The NLC argues that such palliatives cannot adequately compensate for wage increases, which are essential to boost the purchasing power of Nigerian workers, especially in the face of rising prices and hyperinflation caused by fuel subsidy removal.
