In a move that reflects the growing frustration of the Nigerian workforce, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has commenced a two-day warning strike today. This decision follows the NLC’s refusal to engage in talks with the Federal Government regarding the escalating hardship and suffering caused by the removal of the fuel subsidy.
Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, had cautioned against the strike, emphasizing that it would exacerbate the already dire situation for ordinary Nigerians. He urged the NLC to reconsider their course of action.
The NLC had issued a warning of this two-day strike last Friday, decrying the extensive suffering and impoverishment witnessed throughout the nation. The NLC threatened a complete and indefinite shutdown of the economy within 14 working days or 21 days following the warning strike if the government failed to address the mounting hardships faced by the citizens.
During a briefing after their National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Friday, NLC President, Joe Ajaero, stated, “NEC has resolved to embark on a total and indefinite shutdown of the nation within 14 working days or 21 days from today, pending steps taken by the government to alleviate the severe suffering and impoverishment endured by our citizens.”
Despite indications from sources within the NLC leadership suggesting that the strike would proceed, the planned meeting with Minister Simon Lalong was abandoned. It is alleged that a media briefing by the minister, criticizing labor leaders and taking place just before the scheduled meeting, influenced the NLC’s decision to boycott the gathering at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Federal Secretariat.
One outspoken NLC leader expressed outrage, saying, “We were set to meet the Minister of Labour and Employment later today (yesterday) at 3 pm, but a few hours before the meeting, the minister held a media briefing where he castigated and threatened us with derogatory language. Not that the meeting could have averted the strike, but we had intended to attend in the spirit of social dialogue. However, as you are aware, the Minister of Labour, prior to the scheduled meeting, conducted a media briefing castigating and threatening us.”
The leader continued, “We cannot attend a meeting when we have been warned of possible arrest. In fact, we appreciate the minister for alerting us to their plans. Thus, the sensible action is to steer clear of such meetings and avoid potential arrest. What the minister did was tantamount to industrial dictatorship and blatant blackmail. The Federal Government had already made decisions about the proposed meeting, and the minister was gracious enough to hold a briefing ahead of it, revealing part of the government’s stance.”
He concluded, “As mentioned earlier, the strike will proceed as planned. After Wednesday, we will decide on our next course of action. The NEC’s statement was crystal clear. We cannot continue as if we inhabit a different country from our political leaders and their associates. We cannot endure ongoing suffering and hardship without tangible efforts from the government to alleviate our pain. Instead, the government continues to implement policies that appear to lead us to untimely demise.”
