The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has initiated a two-day warning strike in protest of the Federal Government's handling of the challenges arising from the removal of fuel subsidies. This move follows NLC President Joe Ajaero's announcement last Friday.
Since President Bola Tinubu declared on May 29 that "fuel subsidy is gone," fuel prices have significantly increased nationwide, resulting in a higher cost of living.
The NLC accuses the Federal Government of abandoning negotiations and failing to implement resolutions agreed upon in previous meetings.
On August 2, organized labor protested against what they deemed the anti-people policies of President Bola Tinubu's administration. The NLC, Trade Union Congress (TUC), and affiliated unions held demonstrations in various states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Their demands included the immediate reversal of anti-poor policies, such as the recent hike in fuel prices, increased public school fees, and the release of eight months' worth of withheld salaries for university lecturers and workers. They also called for an upward revision of the minimum wage from N30,000 to N200,000.
The NLC has expressed concern that the N5 billion allocated to each state and the FCT to mitigate the impact of fuel subsidy removal is insufficient to alleviate people's suffering. The union questions whether this allocation is a loan, a palliative for states, or a direct benefit to Nigerians.
These actions and protests reflect the ongoing challenges surrounding the removal of fuel subsidies and the associated economic impacts in Nigeria