Barely one week after leading a two-day warning strike, The Labour Union on Tuesday threatened to begin an indefinite strike if the Federal Government fails to meet its demands at the end of the 21-day ultimatum which will expire in a week’s time. The Union said the proposed strike was necessary following the failure of the Government to provide palliatives to assuage the Nigerian hardships as a result of the fuel subsidy removal. The Union said that the proposed strike would lead to an indefinete shutdown of commercial and economic activities across the country.

The national Assistant General Secretary of the Union, Mr. Christopher Onyeka said the FG was wrong to share a bag of rice to a dozen citizens while reportedly giving N100m palliatives to each member of the national assembly. On September 1, the Union had handed down a 21-day ultimatum to the FG over the delay in sharing of Palliatives saying it might be compelled to declare an indefinite labour action if its demands were not met.

”If Government fails to provide the appropriate responses to our demands, we encourage you to maintain your steadfast resolve. The same passion and determination that fueled this warning strike will be crucial if we find ourselves compelled to embark on an indefinite strike” the labour body said in a letter to the FG.

To demonstrate its seriousness, the NLC mobilized workers for a two-day warning strike on September 5 and 6 partially grounding social and economic activities in several states with banks, ministries, agencies and departments closed to the public in some states. This action, the labour said was in preparation for a total shutdown which would start at the expiration of the ultimatum next week. Among others demands, the NLC and the Trade Union Congress were asking for wage awards, implementation of palliatives, tax exemptions and allowances to the public sector workers and a review of the minimum wage.

President Bola Tinubu had in June 19 set up the presidential steering Committee and various sub-committees to be adopted on the palliatives such as cash transfers, social investment programme, cost of Governance, energy, and Mass Transit and housing.

SOURCE: PUNCH