Fuel subsidy removal: CSOs kicks against NLC planned strike

A Civil Society Organization under the aegis of Civil Society and Workers Dialogue Forum (CSWDF) has kicked against the planned strike by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), scheduled to commence on Tuesday, October 3.

The CSOs described the action as “sabotage and mischievous”, saying that the union was not sensitive to its own part of the dialogue with the Federal Government over the fuel subsidy removal impasse.

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

The CSO said, “The Nigeria Labour Congress fully agreed to the withdrawal of fuel subsidy which they also earlier advocated for. Having the subsidy that has been draining government for centuries removed should be supported by all stakeholders rather than evil kick.”

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

The statement added that the recent distribution of palliatives to the tune of N5 billion to each of the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory are part of mitigation measures until things normalize as no government anywhere in the world derives pleasure in the suffering of its people.

“The wage increase of workers is being negotiated with NLC constituting membership of the committee. Hence, we are appalled at what the proposed strike intended to achieve.”

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.

The statement read in part, “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 and we protested our exclusion.

“Having agreed with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, workers’ union recanting and proposed an indefinite strike is counter-productive and we will mobilize our members across the 36 States and FCT for anti-NLC protest.”

Adding: “This statement should serve as official notice to the Director of State Service (DSS), IGP and other security agencies, that we are going to mobilize to the streets against NLC on October 3.”

The group stated that some states have purchased buses for public transportation and have also added funds to the FG’s offer to them, insisting that the proposed strike was inappropriate.

The group therefore called on the citizens to resist the temptation of being used by a group of people against the genuine interest of government. It also urged the leadership of NLC to tow the path of honour and rescind the decision on the proposed strike in the interest of the country.