Labour union to embark on nationwide strike on May 18

The Nigeria Labour Congress has reportedly concluded plans to embark on a nationwide strike on Wednesday, May 18, 2016 to protest the increase in the fuel pump price from N86 and N86.50k to N145 per litre by the Federal Government.

In a report by Punch Newspaper, the union made the decision known after an emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee on Friday, May 13, 2016.

The meeting, which was chaired by the President of the NLC, Ayuba Wabba and attended by all the major civil society organisations based in Abuja, held at the Labour House in the FCT.

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Speaking after the meeting, Wabba said, “Comrades, we have had our meeting, but we cannot talk to you now. We have a press briefing for tomorrow at 12noon. We will address the press jointly with the TUC and our position will be made known to the media and the country.”

Meanwhile the Trade Union Congress has given the Federal Government a five days ultimatum to meet with labour or face industrial action.

President of the TUC, Bobboi Kaigama, told journalists after its National Executive Council that the TUC rejected the hike in price of petrol from N86.5 to N145 per litre and demanded revert in price.

In his words, “The NEC-in session rejected in its entirety the astronomical increase in the price of petrol from N86.5 per litre to N145 per litre and demanded that the government should revert to the old price regime with immediate effect.'

Continuing, 'The NEC-in-session gave the Federal Government up till Wednesday, May 16, 2016, to invite the leadership of labour for discussion aimed at determining the appropriate way forward.

'The NEC-in-session also directed the leadership of the TUC to interface with the NLC and the civil society allies to work out plans that would be put in place to protest the insensitive fuel price hike should the government fail to meet on Wednesday, May 18, 2016,' Kaigama said.

The labour unions are currently unhappy with the increase of the price of Premium Motor Spirit by the Federal Government, hence have been meeting to embark on a strike if the FG refuses to reduce the fuel price.