NLC declares two-day national protest over hardship

The NLC said if its demands are not met after the nationwide protests, it would 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 commence.

Already, the two labour centres – the NLC and Trade Union Congress have given the federal government a 14 – day ultimatum to implement the 16 – point agreement it reached last year.

That ultimatum would end on February 22.

President of NLC, Joe Ajaero, said this at a press conference after a meeting of the National Executive Council on Friday.

Ajaero said organised labour was tired of “empty talks by the federal Government.”

He directed its affiliates and civil society allies to begin mobilisation for the nationwide protest.

Ajaero said: “On Monday, the 29th day of May 2023, the President of the Federal Republic announced during his inaugural speech the withdrawal of Subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in Nigeria. Consequently, 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.

“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.

“The NEC-in-session considered the unfortunate state of our nation; the huge suffering pervading the nation, the general crisis of living, the outrage expressed by the majority, and the increased attendant fears of the continued consequences of these Policies and the persistent refusal of the Government to implement the tenets of the October Agreement. It also took notice of the decision of the National Administrative Council (NAC) of 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 14 days 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 Government’s compliance with the conditions of the Notice, it will be at liberty to take action that will compel 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 affiliates, state councils and civil society allies to start mobilising 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.”