Subsidy Talks: Labour Shuns FG, Begins Protests Today

Afimag.com –

The two-day meeting between the Federal Government and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) ended in futility as the Union embarks on a nationwide protest against the fuel subsidy removal.

The protest scheduled for August 02, 2023, by NLC over the fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government may ground the country ‘s economic activities.

The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, yesterday, said the organised labour had no reason to suspend the planned national protests and strike, adding that he would inform the public if there would be change of plan.

Recall that the Federal Government and the organised labour have been at loggerheads following the removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu on May 29, 2023, when he said, “fuel subsidy is gone”.

The government set up a committee to look into the demands of the labour unions for a 300 per cent wage increase to enable workers cope with the hardship resulting from fuel subsidy removal.

An earlier move by the labour leaders to embark on strike was stopped by a court order obtained by the government.

Tinubu, however, had rolled out a N500bn palliative which, according to him, would be shared to manufacturers, small businesses, including farmers.

He stated that there was plan to increase salaries and acquire 3,000 CNG-powered mass transit buses for all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The congress in a statement signed by Ajaero on Tuesday night asked Nigerians to ignore news about a possible suspension of its planned nationwide strike.

The terse statement which was posted on its official Twitter handle, @NLCheadquarters read, “Ignore fake rumors, NLC is never divided. We are one united and strong labour centre. The protest rally holds tomorrow (Wednesday) nationwide.”