Ahead of the planned workers strike, the leadership of the Labour Party have expressed support for any legitimate means deployed by Nigerian workers to press for better remuneration
The party, in a statement by Obiora Ifoh, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, said it fully supports the resolution of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to embark on an industrial action slated to commence from Tuesday, October 3rd.
According to the statement, the party said it has followed with keen interest, in the last four months, various meetings between Organized Labour and various government bodies to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians, following the removal of fuel subsidy
The party cited the organised labour meetings with the President of the Senate, the presidency, the ministers of Labour as well as all the efforts made by the Labour leadership to get the government to understand the magnitude of sufferings government policies have thrown Nigerian Workers and the entire populace into since the enthronement of this administration.
The party added however , that it is not in any way surprised at the government’s apparent indifference, insensitivity, intransigence, and recalcitrant posture towards the genuine demands of the Labour bodies because “their usurpation of power was not sanctioned by both the workers and generality of Nigerians. Nigerians went to the polls with clear conviction of the government they wanted.
He noted that the workers were “denied through institutional conspiracy”, adding that” today, Nigerian workers are being punished for taking a stand during the February 25 Presidential Election.
“Labour Party is also aware of the sordid conditions which workers, the majority of them being our members, are subjected to, whereby many of them go to the office on a Monday and are forced by the prevailing economic challenges, to sleep in their offices all through to Friday before they return home.
“Labour Party is surprised that the government claimed that it has removed subsidies on Petroleum products and that it now generates over a trillion naira monthly, yet it finds it difficult to address workers’ demands.
“Daily, Nigerians are subjected to harsh economic realities where the inflation rate is nearing 30 percent, where a dollar is sold above N1000, and where par-capital income has depreciated. Many families are withdrawing their wards from schools over a hike in school fees, while criminal activities are surging daily.
“We think that the Nigerian workers have shown enough patience and understanding. We are also using this medium to inform all our members and supporters to stock their homes with their necessary needs ahead of a long-drawn mass action until victory is ascertained.”
Recall that the NLC and TUC had on Tuesday stated that they will engage on the total lockdown of the country with effect from Tuesday, 3rd of October to press their demands for better condition for Nigerians.
