CSO rejects indefinite strike, accuses Labour of mischief

A Civil Society Organisation under the aegis of Civil Society and Workers Dialogue Forum (CSWDF) has kicked against the planned strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) scheduled to commence Tuesday. The CSO described the action as ‘sabotage’ and ‘mischievous’ saying the union was not sensitive to its own part of dialogue with the Federal […]

A Civil Society Organisation under the aegis of Civil Society and Workers Dialogue Forum (CSWDF) has kicked against the planned strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) scheduled to commence Tuesday.

The CSO described the action as ‘sabotage’ and ‘mischievous’ saying the union was not sensitive to its own part of dialogue with the Federal Government over the fuel subsidy removal impasse.

The group stated this in a statement issued on Thursday by the Abubakar Ibrahim, Bashir Faisal and Rafiu Shaibu, convener and co- conveners respectively.

The CSO said the NLC fully agreed to the withdrawal of fuel subsidy which they also earlier advocated for, adding that “having the subsidy that has been draining government for centuries removed, it should be supported by all stakeholders”, rather than ‘evil kick’ as it were.

The group, while acknowledging the hardship faced by Nigerians, explained that the Federal Government had made moves in rehabilitating the refineries to reduce the cost of PMS and gas importation.

The group wondered what the proposed strike intended to achieve since the wage increase of workers is being negotiated with NLC constituting membership of the Committee.

“As opposed to the past, the NLC has always been on the negotiation table before any decision was taken by this administration.”

“We recall that in June this year, the Union was in talks with the FG over fuel subsidy removal without carrying other stakeholders along which we protested our exclusion.

“Having agreed with President Bola Tinubu’s administration, only for the workers Union to recant and proposed an indefinite strike is counter-productive and we will mobilise our members across the 36 States and FCT for anti-NLC protest.

“This statement should serve as official notice to the Director of State Service DSS, IGP and other Security agencies, that we are going to mobilise to streets against NLC on 3rd October, 2023,” the statement read in part.