NLC asks FG to address survival crisis or risk total shut down
Jethro Yerga, Jalingo
The Nigeria Labour Congress NLC, has asked the Federal Government of Nigeria to immediately address what its described as “unfortunate state of the nation” or risk total shutdown of the country
The Taraba State chairman of the NLC, Comrade Peter Jediel, disclosed the decision of the union while reading out the latest decisions of its National Executive Council (NEC), during a nationwide peaceful protest joined by its Taraba State chapter in Jalingo to register its grievances
Comr Jediel stated that, Organize Labour was deeply disappointed by the actions of the Federal Government towards addressing the hardship faced by Nigerians and its persistent refusal to implement the October 2 Agreement reached with the union.
He stated that following the huge sufferings pervading the nation and the general crisis of living among Nigerians caused by subsidy removal, series of meetings were held with the federal government, culminating in the signing of an Agreement which they now call “the October 2 Agreement”.
He said the Agreement contained several safeguards which they believed if implemented conscientiously, “would go a long way to ameliorate the suffering and hardship that the ill-conceived and ill-implemented policies of the Federal Government have foisted on the masses and workers in the country” but the FG had persistently refused to implement it.
“After this 2-day Protest, we hope to see all issues addressed. But if our demands are not met after the protests, we shall issue a Seven-Day notice that will expire on the 2nd day of March, 2024 to the Federal Government, after which we shall shut down the country. We shall embark on an indefinite nationwide strike.
“Please Comrades, put yourselves together and get prepared as we fight this just course”. He added.
The NLC chairman emphasized that Nigeria workers and the people of the country are no longer interested in empty talk but actions and called on all affiliates, state Councils and Civil Society Allies to start mobilizing across the nation for effective action as the deadline approaches
Meanwhile, the NLC, Taraba State Chapter has joined the 2-day nationwide protest but conducted it under tight security with extra caution for it was alleged that some groups were prepared to take advantage of the protest to turn market shops to palliative stores
Members carrying placards bearing inscriptions such as stop cheating our future, end hunger, let the poor breath, let justice prevail in the land and don’t make living unbearable, rounded up the first day of the protest at NULGE House Jalingo
