Barely 24 hours after the National Association of Resident Doctors went on strike, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC has given a one-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to reverse the recent increases in the pump price of petrol, school fees in federal school and the release of 8 months withheld salaries of university lecturers or risk a nationwide protest and industrial action.
This was contained in a communique signed by NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero and Secretary, Comrade Emmanuel Ugbuaja and released to newsmen at the end of the Congress Central Working Committee meeting in Abuja.
The communique expresses the frustration of the congress with the Federal Government’s continued indifference to the plight of Nigeria workers and the poor, and resolves to mobilize responsible men and women of conscience propelled by patriotic zeal to take necessary action to protect democracy and our Nigeria.
It stress that it is clear that the federal government is not interested in discussions, having exhausted half of the agreed-upon timetable.
The communique also calls for an immediate inauguration of the Presidential Steering Committee as agreed in the earlier consequential dialogues that the leadership of the organised labour had with the Federal Government in May.
It urges all civil society organizations and Nigerians everywhere to begin mobilizing to take action on their own to rescue our nation by organizing and leading major protest rallies around the country to express indignation at the government’s callous acts and policies.
The communique consequently directs all affiliates and State Councils of NLC to begin immediate mobilization and closely work with associations, individuals and other entities including the ones already on the streets to ensure that government listens to the people.