NLC Set January 27 and February 1 For Nationwide Protest

The apex labour union in Nigeria, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has started rallying for support of civil society organizations ahead of its planned nationwide protests coming up on 27th January and February 1st against the proposed petrol subsidy removal by the Federal Government.

In preparation for the planned protests, it has been gathered that the leaders of the labour union and the civil society organizations will hold a meeting in Abuja tomorrow, January 11, and another meeting in Lagos on Friday, January 14, 2022. According to the letter signed by the NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, and the General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, the meetings will be attended by members of the NLC Central Working Committee and the leaders of the affiliate unions.

“Comrade, you may recall that at the regular meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress, which took place on 17th December 2021 at the OyerindeOlaitan Auditorium, Pascal Bafyau Labour House, the NEC decided, among other things, to mobilise Nigerians workers and people for a nationwide protest on the 27th January 2022, particularly in all the state capitals of the federation. There will also be a national protest on the 1st of February 2022, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT),” the letter reads.

The letter reads further: “Clearly, this price upsurge would unleash very severe and calamitous dislocation on Nigerian workers, people and business. The planned protest is to register the displeasure and rejection by Nigerian workers and people of the proposed plans by the government to increase the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also commonly referred to as ‘petrol’. In order to plan for an effective and peaceful protest, we seek the indulgence of your union as a member of the NLC Central Working Committee to be part of a planning meeting with leaders of the CSOs scheduled to take place in both Abuja and Lagos State.”

Quadri Olaleye, the President of the Trade Union Congress, said the union will meet for three days from 20th January to finalise plans for the protests.

“The TUC will make its decision known on 22nd January. It is after the meeting that we will decide on what to do,” the Trade Union chief said.

Source

The Nation