A coalition of Civil Society Organisations, known as the Civil Society and Workers Dialogue Forum (CSWDF), has expressed its opposition to the planned strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), which is set to commence on October 3rd. The CSOs describe the strike as an act of economic sabotage and criticize the NLC for not prioritizing dialogue with the Federal Government in resolving the petrol subsidy removal impasse.
The CSWDF emphasizes that it will lend its support if the NLC chooses to pursue dialogue and calls off the strike. The CSOs highlight that the NLC had initially endorsed the removal of fuel subsidy, which had been draining the government’s resources for years. They argue that the removal of the subsidy is a necessary step that should be supported by all stakeholders.
Acknowledging the challenges faced by Nigerians, the CSOs point out that the Federal Government has taken proactive measures to rehabilitate refineries and reduce the cost of importing petroleum products. They highlight the recent distribution of palliatives worth N5 billion to each state and the Federal Capital Territory as part of the government’s efforts to alleviate the impact of the subsidy removal.
The CSWDF strongly criticizes the proposed strike, stating that wage increases for workers are already being negotiated through a committee that includes representatives from the NLC. They express their disappointment at the NLC’s decision to resort to a strike, emphasizing that the union has historically been engaged in negotiations with the government before any major decisions are made.
Recalling a similar situation in June 2023, when the NLC engaged in talks with the government over fuel subsidy removal without involving other stakeholders, the CSOs express their opposition to the union’s current stance. They declare their intention to mobilize their members across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory for anti-NLC protests.
The CSOs want to officially notify the Directorate of State Services, the Inspector General of Police, and other security agencies of their planned protests on October 3rd. They emphasize that some states have already taken measures to mitigate the impact of the subsidy removal, including purchasing buses for public transportation and supplementing the funds offered by the Federal Government.
The CSOs assert that the proposed strike is inappropriate and call on citizens not to allow themselves to be used against the genuine interest of the government. They stress that no government takes pleasure in the suffering of its people.
NAN
