The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Tuesday issued directives to their members and affiliate bodies to commence indefinite nationwide strike on Tuesday, October 3.
The organised labour said the strike was necessitated due to the delay by the federal government to address their concerns following the removal of subsidy on premium motor spirit (PMS).
To this end, it said all affiliates and state councils have been directed to mobilise members for street protests and rallies until government responds positively to their demands.
NLC President, Joe Ajaero and his TUC counterpart, Festus Osifo, announced this after their joint emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Tuesday in Abuja.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Ajaero and Osifo said the government has totally abdicated its responsibility and shown gross unwillingness to act, abandoning Nigerian people and workers to excruciating poverty and affliction.
They said: “The federal government has, therefore, not met in any substantial way, the demands of Nigerian workers and peoples as previously canvassed in our mutually agreed roadmap to salvage the economy and protect workers and Nigerians from the monumental hardships. The grace period given by the two labour centres has since expired.”
They accused the government of continually forestalling all avenues to peaceful dialogue with organised labour on ways to save Nigerians from the huge hunger and suffering being experienced across the nation as a result of the hike in the price of petrol (PMS).
They further alleged blackmail and sponsored campaigns of calumny against trade union leaders in the social media using buying and coercive powers instead of making efforts to lift the burden on the masses.
Against this background, the labour centrea declared that, “In the spirit of the Independence Day celebration and to demonstrate our resolve for a truly independent Nigeria to take our destinies in our own hands and rescue our nation.
“To embark on an indefinite and total shutdown of the nation beginning on zero hours Tuesday, October 3, 2023.
“To direct all workers in Nigeria to withdraw their services from their respective workplaces commencing from October 3.
“To direct all affiliates and state councils to immediately start mobilising accordingly for action to organise street protests and rallies until the government responds positively to our demands.”