Amid the looming nationwide strike announced by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Senate has appealed to the labor union to reconsider their planned action. The Senate is deeply concerned about the severe impact of the strike on ordinary Nigerians, warning of possible extreme hardship for the nation.
While acknowledging the NLC’s right to protest, the Senate emphasizes the need to consider the potential fallout that could significantly affect citizens’ daily lives and livelihoods.
Given the ongoing economic recovery efforts from the global pandemic, a widespread labor strike could further strain the economy, leading to inflation, scarcity of goods and services, and major inconvenience for the people.
The Senate underscores its commitment to engaging in constructive dialogue with the NLC to address their grievances. Through negotiation and communication, a compromise can be sought that protects workers’ rights while ensuring the smooth functioning of the nation’s economy.
The Upper Chamber calls upon other relevant stakeholders, including the Federal Government and private sector representatives, to join in the dialogue with the NLC for a comprehensive and lasting solution to the issues at hand.
As the nation observes these developments, the collective hope is for a peaceful resolution that prioritizes the welfare of workers and maintains economic stability. With the proposed strike approaching, the call for dialogue and understanding is of utmost importance.
NLC’s call for reversal of the petrol price
On July 25th, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) issued a seven-day ultimatum to the President Bola Tinubu administration to reverse “anti-poor” policies, including the hike in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol.
The NLC threatened nationwide protests from August 2, 2023, if the Federal Government does not respond to their demands. The labor union accused the government of showing contempt for the Nigerian people and declared a war of attrition against workers and the masses.
The NLC demanded the immediate reversal of all anti-poor policies, including the recent PMS price hike, public school fee increases, and the release of eight months’ withheld salaries of university lecturers and workers.