Labour unions in Nigeria have embarked on an indefinite strike over the rising cost of food, transportation and services following the removal of subsidy on fuel by the Federal Government. They called on Nigerians to brace up for tough time ahead by stockpiling food and other necessities…

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, have declared an indefinite strike starting from the first week of October.

The Labour unions embarked on industrial action to force the federal government to address the economic hardship across the country, following the removal of fuel subsidy.
In a joint communiqué after both Labour unions held separate emergency National Executive Council, meetings, leaders of the main Labour unions in the country, called on Nigerians to brace up for a long strike and use between yesterday and next Monday to stockpile foodstuff and other necessities.

The unions stressed that “the government has totally abdicated this responsibility and has shown gross unwillingness to act, abandoning Nigerian people and workers to excruciating poverty and affliction.

They added that the Federal Government has continued to grandstand and forestall all avenues to peaceful dialogue with organized labour on ways to save Nigerians from the huge hunger and suffering experienced across the nation as a result of the unconscionable hike in the price of petrol (PMS) by the government.

Meanwhile the Nigerian House of Representatives has appealed to the Unions to shelve its planned strike.

The Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, said this during his speech following the resumption of plenary in Abuja.

The lower legislative chamber promised to serve as a mediator between the government and the labour unions while arguing that an industrial action will further affect the country’s economy.