NLC Announces 2-Day Warning Strike Against Fuel Subsidy Removal

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared its intention to embark on a 48-hour warning strike starting on Tuesday, September 5,  in response to the Federal Government’s perceived inaction regarding the issues affecting Nigerians due to the removal of fuel subsidy.

Joe Ajaero, the President of the NLC, made this announcement on Friday, September 1, at the Labour House in Abuja, following the National Executive Council meeting of the union. The NLC has accused the Federal government of neglecting prior negotiations and not adhering to certain resolutions made during past meetings.

Recalled on August 2, organized labour staged protests against what they deemed as “anti-people” policies under the administration of President Bola Tinubu. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), along with their affiliated unions, held demonstrations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and numerous states, including Lagos, Abia, Plateau, Kaduna, Kano, Rivers, Zamfara, Katsina, Cross River, Ebonyi, Enugu, Kwara, Ogun, Imo, Ondo, and Edo.

This protest came in response to a seven-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government, which demanded the “immediate reversal of all anti-poor policies of the federal government.” These policies included the recent hike in PMS (Premium Motor Spirit) price, increases in public school fees, and the release of eight months’ withheld salary for university lecturers and workers.

Meanwhile, the union called for an upward revision of the minimum wage, from N30,000 to N200,000. They argued that since the President’s inauguration speech on May 29, 2023, which declared the end of subsidy, the well-being of Nigerians had deteriorated.

Numerous meetings between the Presidency and the unions regarding relief measures for Nigerians facing difficulties following the removal of the petrol subsidy have ended without a resolution.