•Accuses FG of failing to honour agreements
By George Okereke
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Friday declared a two-day nationwide protest to express their dissatisfaction with the current economic hardship and alleged failure of the federal government to fully implement the October 2, 2023, agreement.
The proposed protest is slated for February 27 and 28, according to a communique issued at the end of the labour union’s National Executive Council, NEC, meeting in Abuja.
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero who read the communique at a press conference to announce the outcomes of the meeting, said it had held several meetings with the federal government after the signed agreement on October 2, 2023, which contained 16-point palliative measures to cushion the impact of the subsidy removal, but the government had failed to implement the agreement.
Ajaero said that the congress was deeply disappointed and condemned the actions of the federal government in refusing to honour the agreement and address the mounting crisis of survival in Nigeria.
Recall that on 8 February, 2024, both NLC and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) gave the federal government two-weeks ultimatum to implement all the October, 2, 2023 agreement or face strike action.
The notice will expire on the midnight of Thursday, February 22, 2024.
Ajaero futher stated that if on expiration, the congress is not satisfied with the level of government’s compliance with the conditions of the notice , it will be at liberty to take action that will compel government to implement the agreement, including the February, 27 and 28 nationwide protest.
The NEC also resolved that if the demands are not met after the nationwide protests, the congress will issue a seven-day notice that will expire on March 2, 2024, to the federal government, after which an indefinite nationwide strike will commence.
The resolution reads partly, “That it reaffirms the 14days notice issued the federal government within which to implement the Agreement and address the mounting crisis of survival in Nigeria.
That the Notice expires on the Midnight of Thursday, the 22nd of February, 2024. If on expiration, congress is not satisfied with the level of Government’s compliance with the conditions of the notice , it will be at liberty to take action that will compel government to implement the agreement”.
“Declares a 2-day National Protest on 27th and 28th of February to demonstrate outrage on the mounting hardship and insecurity around the nation.
Nigerian workers and people are not interested in empty talk now but action so, calls on all of affiliates, state Councils and Civil Society Allies to start mobilizing across the nation for effective action as the deadline approaches.
As such, in light of the urgency of the situation and the continued suffering of the Nigerian people and Workers, the NEC-in-session calls for immediate action from the federal government to rectify these grievances and restore faith in the democratic process and social dialogue”.
