Barely 48hours to the mother of all strikes on Wednesday the Federal Government has scheduled a meeting with the representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Monday in an attempt to avert the nationwide strike that the NLC has called.
TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) recalls the organised labour had walked out of a meeting with FG representatives and thereafter advised Nigerians last Sunday to stock their homes with foodstuffs and medicines.
This development must have pushed the federal government into a tight a corner as managing a national strike with hunger staring at Nigerians daily may lead to a national calamity.
The NLC alleges the Tinubu-led Federal Government of failing to meet its demands after the removal of fuel subsidies, causing a significant increase in petrol prices. With movement expected to be severely impacted due to commercial transport operators withdrawing services and markets, schools, and healthcare facilities shutting down, the NLC advises citizens to minimize their movements to avoid being stranded.
The NLC’s strike ultimatum is set to commence on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, and the government’s emergency meeting with the organized labour aims to find a resolution. However, the meeting on Friday reportedly did not occur as the government representatives failed to show up.
As the situation unfolds, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers and the National Union of Electricity Employees have confirmed mobilizing their members to halt the supply of fuel and the national electricity grid in response to the planned mass protest.
Meanwhile, the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, assures Nigerians that the Federal Government will roll out social investment programs to alleviate the suffering of the masses following the subsidy removal.
In the midst of the brewing strike, various Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), lawyers, and lawmakers have shared their opinions. Some are urging the NLC to engage in negotiations with the government, while others express support for the strike. Legal experts caution the NLC to consider court orders and possible contempt if the strike proceeds against court rulings.
But rubbishing this development, number labour leader in Nigeria, Joe Ajaero countered this position saying “there’s no court restricting organised labour from conducting a peaceful protest in Nigeria.