The Nigeria Labour Congress has threatened to close down the economy beginning next week with a two-day warning strike.
Tuesday, September 5 and Wednesday, September 6 will be the dates for the warning strike.
Thursday’s meeting of the Congress’s National Executive Council (NEC) resulted in the decision to initiate the action.
The President of the NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, briefed journalists on Friday and, while reading the resolution, stated, "The NLC National Executive Committee (NEC) has resolved to initiate a total and indefinite shutdown of the nation within 14 working days or 21 days from today, unless the government takes steps to address the excruciating mass suffering and widespread poverty in the country.
“Begin a two-day warning strike on the 5th and 6th of September 2023 to demonstrate our readiness for the indefinite strike later in the month and to demand that the state vacate the illegally occupied National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, headquarters.”
In September, the NLC also decided to organize a massive protest and rally in Imo State.
Labor also expressed concern over what it described as a renewed assault on labor unions by the government and its agents.
Ajaero explained that the proposed strike action was necessitated by the government’s deliberate neglect and refusal to engage the relevant stakeholders in social dialogue.
According to him, the Federal Government has refused to negotiate with organized labor on crucial issues relating to the effects of the unfortunate increase in petroleum prices, which has unleashed suffering among Nigerian employees and the general populace.
He stated, “There is a renewed assault on trade unions and their leadership by the Nigerian government and its agents.”
“Under the orders of certain forces peddling the name of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Police illegally invaded and occupied the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, headquarters in an attempt to install its executive.”