Reverse Fuel Price, Electricity Tariffs or Be Ready for Nationwide Strike, NLC Tells FG
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Wednesday gave the federal government up till September 28 to reverse the increases in price increase and electricity tariffs or be ready for an industrial action.
Labour’s decision was made public after its Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting which took place in Abuja.
The NLC had threatened to shut down activities in the country if after 12 days the federal government failed to address the two issues.
The Congress said it will hold another CWC meeting on September 22, adding the two increases were insensitive and unwanted.
President of the NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba told newsmen that the new prices have eroded the gains of the N30,000 minimum wage which is yet to be paid by some state governments.
He said, “We met to discuss the twin-challenge of the increases in the electricity tariffs and pump price of petroleum products and clearly speaking, we have looked at particularly workers that earn wages.
“So, it was decided that we issue the statutory two weeks’ notice to the federal government to reverse those decisions and in our own case, the NEC also has to sanction it if you want to undertake such actions.
“So, we have summoned the NEC to meet on Tuesday, September 22, for the action that is been proposed for 28th of this month. So, invariably, this is part of the decision of the Central Working Committee consisting of all Presidents and Secretary Generals of our affiliate unions”.
“Many people are at pains now,” he said, explaining: “The impact of the electricity tariffs is the fact that those in category ‘A,’ which they have increased their tariffs are the manufacturers, which will transfer the cost on goods and services. That is why the cost of goods and services are also going up.”
“We told them clearly that there was nothing and because of all of these, people thought that certainly, these issues are issues we have to respond to and fundamentally, these are issues that will put many people into poverty, especially the working poor.”
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