Senate Urges NLC To Avert Impending Strike

The Senate has advised the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, to call off its intending strike on removal of fuel subsidy and continue negotiation with the Federal Government.

This is sequel to a resolution and consideration of a motion entitled “Urgent Need to Avert the Intending Strike of the Nigeria Labour Congress by Senator Kawu Suleiman from Kano state during plenary in Abuja.

Senator Suleiman in his lead debate said the NLC has given the Federal Government a seven-day ultimatum to reverse what the union termed as “anti-poor policies” or face an indefinite nationwide strike from August 2nd.

He said the NLC had directed all its affiliates and state councils to immediately begin mobilisation of workers and other Nigerians, including civil society allies, for a long-lasting strike and mass protests.

He said the labour movement had in a statement signed by its National President accused the Federal Government of failing to meet the demands it presented to it following removal of the subsidy on petrol, which caused an astronomical rise in pump price of the commodity.

He expressed worry that the strike would cripple the country as movement would be severely curtailed as commercial transport operators would withdraw their services, while markets, schools and healthcare facilities would be forced to shut down.

According to him, the action could heat up the polity when it occurred,stressing that gains from the strike were far below the costs to either of the parties in conflict.

The lawmaker said the strike threat by the NLC, if not averted, could plunge Nigeria into deeper economic woes, dislocate businesses, hunger, frustration.

Senator Suleiman said more hardship would lead to unquantified financial losses and reduce Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Following support of senators on the motion,
the Senate accordingly resolved to mandate its leadership to interface between the NLC and
the Federal Government to avert the intending strike.

James Itodo, Edited By Grace Namiji