The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced plans for a nationwide strike, scheduled to commence on August 2, 2023, following the government’s removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit, commonly known as petrol.
Despite a court order barring the NLC from proceeding with the strike, the congress asserts that it cannot stand idle while Nigerians continue to suffer from the adverse effects of the subsidy removal.
In June, the Tinubu administration took legal action to prevent the NLC from staging the initial nationwide strike in response to the subsidy removal.
Subsequently, the government established a committee to engage in dialogue with the organized labor, including representatives from the Trade Union Congress and the NLC.
However, officials from the NLC have accused the committee of failing to effectively communicate with the labor unions, resulting in escalating tensions.
Speaking with a correspondent, Hakeem Ambali, the national treasurer of the NLC, confirmed that the congress had issued a stern seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government.
The ultimatum demands the conclusion of all negotiations with labor or face the imminent industrial action as planned by the Central Working Committee.
The NLC’s national president, Joe Ajaero, has yet to release an official statement regarding the looming strike, nor has he responded to inquiries from the media.
However, an NLC official stated that the congress would convene on Tuesday to discuss the next course of action and chart the way forward.
