The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have declared an indefinite strike effective from October 3, 2023, in protest of the government’s failure to address the demands of workers and the people following the removal of fuel subsidies.
The unions accuse the government of being indifferent to the suffering of Nigerians, saying that it has shown no willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue. They also accuse the government of using its power to suppress trade unions and intimidate workers.
The unions’ demands include:
A reversal of the fuel price hike
A substantial increase in the minimum wage
An end to the privatization of public assets
A commitment to job creation
A stop to the harassment and intimidation of trade union leaders.
The unions have called on all workers in Nigeria to withdraw their services from their respective workplaces commencing from the 3rd of October. They have also directed all affiliates and state councils to immediately start mobilizing for action to organize street protests and rallies until the government responds positively to their demands.
The unions have also called on all patriotic Nigerians to join hands across the nation to assist the government put the people back at the centre of its policies and programmes.