The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced plans to embark on a two-day warning strike beginning on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, in protest of what it perceives as the government’s inadequate response to the removal of the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol among other issues.
The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, made the declaration on Friday during a press conference at the Labour House in Abuja, while speaking on resolutions by the NLC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting the previous day. This strike is in response to the removal of Petrol subsidies on May 29, 2023, which has led to PMS prices rising to N610 or even higher per litre, causing an increased cost of living for Nigerians.
Ajaero also addressed the issue of the recent deployment of Police to the Secretariat of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW. He noted that “there’s a renewed onslaught on trade unions and their leadership” by the state and its agents across the nation.
The Labour union also issued an ultimatum to the Imo state government and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, compelling them to desist from perceived attacks on the masses and workers.