The Nigerian Labour Congress on Tuesday began its two-day massive protest in Lagos State over the bad state of the economy in the country.
The members of the labour union were seen in their large numbers in Computer Village, Ikeja, and on other adjoining streets to demand immediate intervention from the President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government to ease the hardships citizens are currently facing in the country.
They are also protesting the government’s alleged failure to implement agreements reached between both parties on October 2, 2023, following the removal of the fuel subsidy.
The decision followed the conclusion of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government to implement measures against the widespread hardship.
Recall that SaharaReporters reported about a meeting between the government and the NLC leadership on Monday night but it ended in a deadlock.
A press statement issued by Comrade Ismail Bello, the union General Secretary yesterday had also urged all its affiliated bodies to start mobilisation of their members for the nationwide protest slated to commence on Tuesday.
The statement reads: “A letter from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment signed by the Director of Trade Union Services with the above subject inviting various industrial Unions to a meeting slated for today has just come to the notice of Congress and we want to quickly urge all our affiliates to disregard its contents.
“We believe that it is laden with mischief with the intention of breaking the solidarity of Nigerian workers and Nigerians in their resolve to peacefully engage the government over the massive hardship that has taken over our nation.
“To this end, Congress requests all Presidents and General Secretaries to continue in their mobilizing efforts towards a successful nationwide protest tomorrow; the 27th and Wednesday, the 28th and refuse to be distracted by such aberrant invitation.
“Once again, let us keep our eyes on the ball and ensure a successful protest as we look forward to seeing you at the barricades!”
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has explained why there is ongoing protest in Abuja, Lagos, and different parts of the country .
While speaking with newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday, February 27, Ajaero said;“There’s absolute hunger, and we’re told not to speak out; should we die of hunger?” Ajaero said.
“This protest is about minimum wage and hunger. What of those not working? When will minimum wages be completed and implemented? What will be the minimum wage that will end hunger?
“The United Nations said the poorest man should be fed on $2 daily. If you have a family of six people, you spend $12 daily and $360 monthly. This translates to about N700,000. This is on feeding alone; then there’s transportation, accommodation, and medical.”
Ajaero accused the federal government of failing to implement the proposals put forward by the NLC following the removal of fuel subsidy.
“There was hunger in the land, but not this bad until deregulation. We made propositions after deregulation, but they were not implemented. If transportation issues were solved immediately after deregulation, 50 per cent of the problem would have been solved.
“Even when you process garri in the village, you need to transport it to town, and you add the expenses incurred to the cost. The moment PMS went up, there were issues.
Ajaero alleged that the cash transfer, CNG buses, and wage award have not been implemented.
