Ugo Nosiri, Owerri
Government and private establishments in Owerri the Imo State capital recorded a scanty turnout of staff today due to the two days warning strike declared by the Nigerian Labour Congress.
Some banks in the state capital also opened partially to customers despite a memo from the National Union of Banks, Insurance and financial institutions employees calling on their members to join the strike.
NLC President, comrade Joe Ajaero, ordered the union members and its affiliates to down tools on Tuesday, September 5, and Wednesday, September 6, to protest the escalating hardship arising from the removal of petroleum subsidy.
Comrade Ajaero maintained that unless the government takes significant measures to alleviate the effects of the subsidy removal on Nigerians the union would commence an indefinite strike, 14 working days from Friday, August 31, 2023.
Speaking on the strike, the acting chairman Nigeria Labour Congress in Imo State, Comrade George Ofoegbu disclosed that the Federal Government and the Labour Union agreed to be meeting regularly to discuss on how to cushion the effects of the subsidy removal on the Nigerian workers, but the Federal Government failed on their part.
“The major reason for the strike is, breakdown in communication, issues surrounding the fuel subsidy removal, and the hike in fuel pump price. The issue of palliative has not been amicably resolved. Discussions are still on going for us to proceed with the solution of long term palliative.
“The leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress and Federal Government agreed to be meeting until those issues are concluded. Midway, Federal Government stopped inviting the leadership of Nigerian Labour Congress for meeting,” he said.
Comrade Ofoegbu further explained that the strike was pertinent to enforce discussion between the Federal Government and the Labour Union.
The Union had previously embarked on a nationwide protest on the same issue in August 2023, with its membership comprising workers from both the public and private sectors downing tools.
