The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have issued a 14-day Strike Ultimatum to the federal government over harsh economic consequences.
The unions said that the 16-point agreement reached on October 2, 2023, between them and the federal government has been neglected and abandoned.
The national leadership of both trade unions expressed bitterness that the government looks adamant about the widespread suffering and adversity in the country, despite several efforts by the labour to maintain industrial peace.
The unions, in a statement, said: “The October 2nd agreement was focused on addressing the massive suffering and the general harsh socioeconomic consequences of the ill-conceived and ill-executed IMF/World Bank-induced hike in the price of PMS and the devaluation of the naira. These dual policies have had, as we predicted, dire economic consequences for the masses and workers of Nigeria.”
They bemoaned, “We regret having to take such drastic actions, but we have no other option given the ongoing disregard for the welfare of citizens and Nigerian workers as well as the extreme suffering.
“Constrained by this development and recognising the urgency of the situation and the imperative of ensuring the protection and defence of the rights and dignity of Nigerian workers and citizens, the NLC and TUC hereby issue a stern ultimatum to the Federal Government to honour their part of the understanding within 14 days from tomorrow, the 9th day of February 2024.”
There have been protests in the past few days in some states in the country over the unbearing cost of living, especially the skyrocketing prices of foodstuff in the market, which has gone beyond the reach of an average Nigerian.
The states that so far witnessed the uprising were Ondo, Kogi, Niger, Kano and Rivers.
