NLC to begin 2-day nationwide warning strike Tuesday, total shutdown in 21 days

The Nigeria Labour Congress says it will begin a two-day warning strike on Tuesday September 5, 2023, in preparation for a total shutdown which will start in 21 days.

The decision was taken at the end of its National Executive Council meeting which was held in the early hours of Friday.

A communique released by the labour centre and jointly signed by its national president, Joe Ajaero and Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, said it decided to take the decision following the failure of the federal government to enter into dialogue and engage stakeholders within the organised labour on efforts to cushion the effects of the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit popularly known as petrol on the “poor masses”.

Already, the organised labour had in August staged a one-day protest which grounded activities in major cities across the country.

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While listing some of the other reasons why it would mobilise its members for the nationwide shutdown, the centre accused the Nigeria Police of laying siege to the national headquarters of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, alleged exploitation of the rights of workers in Imo State, interference in trade union matters by the Abia State Government, proposed demolition by the new Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, among others.

On the resolutions it took, the NLC NEC resolved, “To embark on a total and indefinite shutdown of the nation within 14 working days or 21 days from today until steps are taken by the government to address the excruciating mass suffering and impoverishment being experienced around the country.

“To commence a two-day nationwide warning strike on Tuesday & Wednesday the 5th & 6th of September, 2023 to demonstrate our readiness for the indefinite strike later in the month and to also demand that the state vacates the illegally occupied National Headquarters of the National Union of Road Transport Workers;

“To embark on a mass protest and rally in Imo State within this month of September 2023 in preparation for a major shutdown of the state to compel the state government to stop the abuse and violation of the rights and privileges of workers and trade unions in the state;

“To begin the shutdown of the operations of Airpeace Airline and other companies in the aviation sector that are involved in serial violation of the rights of workers in the sector to freedom of association and to collectively bargain and organise;

“To call on communities around the nation to stop taking the law into their own hands but report to the authorities for amicable resolution any matter involving members of the Amalgamated Union of Food Stuffs and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria which is one of our affiliates;

“To demand that the new Minister of the Federal Capital Territory desists from threatening poor masses in the FCT with demolition of their properties built from their years of toil but should focus more on making houses available to the people. He is not a Minister of Demolition and should be prepared to meet Nigerian workers and citizens on the street if he carries out his insensitive utterances.”