National Telescope national telescope newspaper
There are strong indications that strike actions may commence soon if the Federal Government fails to implement its agreement with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) after the removal of the petrol subsidy.
This followed a 14-day ultimatum issued on Thursday by the unions asking the Federal Government to commence the implementation of the 16-point agreement both parties reached.
According to the unions, the Tinubu-led government has 14 days starting from Friday, February 9 to 14, 2024, to fulfil its part of the agreement.
This is as the duo frowned at the refusal of the Federal Government to implement the agreement since it was reached despite cancelling its earlier threatened strike actions.
The two leaders of the labour unions, Joe Ajaero and Festus Usifo, expressed sadness over the matter in a statement on Thursday, describing the refusal of the government as a total disregard for the Nigerian workers.
It stated, “The majority of these crucial agreements remain unmet or negligibly addressed, indicating a blatant disregard for the principles of good faith, welfare, and rights of Nigerian workers and Nigerians.”.
The unions disclosed that the agreement with the FG 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.
“Widespread hunger is now ravishing millions of Nigerians, with the workers’ purchasing power significantly eroded, while insecurity has assumed an increasing dimension. Nigerians are left wondering where their next meals will come from and what tomorrow might bring.
“The level of panic and anxiety amongst the populace has become nightmarish; unfortunately, in the midst of all these, it appears our government is bereft of appropriate measures to ameliorate the huge burden it has foisted on the citizenry.
“We wish to state that these agreements, which encompass a wide range of issues crucial to the well-being of Nigerian masses and workers, have not been honored as pledged by the Federal Government.
“From Wage Awards, palliative adjustments to improved access to public utilities, to the meddlesomeness in the internal affairs of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the interference by the Lagos State Government in union activities, the case of illegal and unlawful proscription of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN).
“The government’s failure to uphold its end of the bargain is deeply regrettable and unacceptable to the working people and the citizenry,” the statement reads.
“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.”
“Therefore, everything must be done within the next two weeks to avoid a situation where we may be compelled to take appropriate steps to protect Nigerian workers and the masses,” they said.
“Our patience has worn thin, and the situation has become unbearable for workers and masses all over the federation. Further silence amounts to committing mass suicide, and this remains the only feasible course of action left for us and Nigerians to compel remedial action by the government.
“We are committed to this resolve towards salvaging Nigerian workers and masses from the apparent insensitivity and lethargy of those in the corridors of power who are supposed to be the bastion of public trust.”
