NLC Declares Two-Day Warning Strike

The Nigeria Labour Congres (NLC) on Friday declared a two-day warning strike, beginning on Tuesday, September 5.

The decision was reached by the labour union following the failure of the Federal Government to address the challenges caused by the removal of fuel subsidy.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu during his inaugural speech announced the removal of the fuel subsidy.

An announcement which has since seen the price of petrol increase to N600, while prices of foodstuffs and other products have skyrocketed.

The President in a move to resolve the effect of subsidy had met with governors in the country to share palliatives in their states.

The sum of N5 billion and foodstuffs was disburbed to state governors to distribute.

The organised labour on the 2nd of August 2023 protested the “anti-people” policies of the administration of President Tinubu.

The NLC, Trade Union Congress (TUC) and their affiliate unions demonstrated in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and several states, including Lagos, Abia, Plateau, Kaduna, Kano, Rivers, Zamfara, Katsina, Cross River, Ebonyi, Enugu, Kwara, Ogun, Imo, Ondo, and Edo.

The NLC followed a seven-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government demanding “the immediate reversal of all anti-poor policies of the federal government including the recent hike in PMS (Premium Motor Spirit) price, increase in public school fees, the release of the eight months withheld salary of university lecturers and workers”.

The union also demanded an upward review of the minimum wage from N30,000 to N200,000, saying that since the President’s “subsidy is gone” inauguration speech of May 29, 2023, the peace of mind of Nigerians has gone.

Several meetings between the Presidency and the unions on palliatives for Nigerians suffering hardship in the wake of the petrol subsidy removal proved abortive.