Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened to shut socio-economic activities in the country without notice should the government increase the pump price of petrol as clamored by state governors.
After its National Executive Council meeting, the NLC released a communiqué saying its leaders viewed the proposal by the Nigeria Governors Forum for a 300% increase in the price of petrol as the height of provocation, detachment and insensitivity to the current economic realities in the country.
The message signed by Ayuba Wabba President of NLC and Acting General Secretary and Ishmail Bello respectively, said:
“NEC also noted that there is currently no negotiation with government over fuel price increase. The NEC recalled that the last meeting with Government in February 2021 was adjourned sine die. Since then, no other meeting has been called by government. The NEC recalled and reiterated the decision it took on February 17, 2021, after the last meeting between labor and the Federal Government team on fuel price increase.
“The NEC reiterated that it still stands solidly by its decision taken at its meeting which took place on 17th February 2021 to reject further increases in the price of refined petroleum products particularly the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS); The NEC also re-echoed its decision that the only sustainable way out of the crisis of fuel importation and associated dislocations in the downstream petroleum sub sector is for government to rehabilitate all four public refineries in Nigeria and build new ones;
“The NEC resolved that any decision to increase by even one cent the price of refined petroleum products especially PMS will attract an immediate withdrawal of services by Nigerian workers all over the country without any further notice; and NEC resolved to write officially to the Federal Government of Nigeria conveying the plight of Nigerian workers, the concerns of Congress and the resolutions of the NEC on the matter of fresh proposals for an increase in the pump price of fuel especially as informed by the stance of the Nigeria Governors Forum.”