A nationwide strike is to begin on August 2,2023, in protest against the recent increase of oil prices by the Federal Government.
21st CENTURY CHRONICLE reports the NLC’s Central Working Committee, CWC, declared the industrial dispute at a meeting held Tuesday, July 25, at the Abuja Labour House.
The National Treasurer of the NLC, Hakeem Ambali, confirmed the declaration of the strike, saying “Yes. We issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to conclude all negotiations with labour or face industrial action yesterday by the Central Working
The NLC has therefore given the Federal Government a seven-day ultimatum to reverse what it described perceived anti-poor policies, including the recent hike in the pump price of petrol, or face an indefinite nationwide strike from August 2.
It has ordered all its affiliates and state councils to immediately begin mobilisation of workers and other Nigerians, including civil society allies, for a long-lasting strike and mass protests should the government fail to meet its demands.
However, there is a subsisting court order since June barring the Labour from going on strike in June still stands, but the NLC maintained that it cannot afford to fold its arms as Nigerians experience hard times due to the effects of subsidy removal which has led to untold hardship.
The FG had sued the organised labour in June to prevent a nationwide strike following the initial removal of the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit popularly known as petrol.
The government set up a committee to liaise with the organised labour on agreements reached on how to cushion the effects of the subsidy withdrawal, but officials of the Trade Union Congress and the NLC said the committee had failed to engage labour in a dialogue.
