Fuel Subsidy: Fresh Strike Looms As Nlc’s Ultimatum Set To Expire

The NLC ultimatum to the government to address the suffering and hardships resulting from the removal of the fuel subsidy has now expired.

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has been meeting with government officials to find a way to avert the strike. [caption id="attachment_11017" align="alignnone" width="600"] Another NLC strike looms. Photo: The Nation[/caption] The Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, are said to be working on a package, including wage awards, to present to the NLC leadership. Prior to this potential indefinite strike, the NLC had organized a two-day nationwide warning strike to protest the government's perceived insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians, especially workers, Vanguard reports. The NLC's National Executive Council (NEC) will meet to decide when to commence the indefinite strike. If the government does not take concrete steps to address the NLC's demands, the strike is likely to proceed. The government is actively working to avert the strike and is considering various measures to appease the NLC, including financial packages for workers. The Vice President has been in talks with government officials to find a solution. The NLC leadership has made it clear that they will not engage in discussions with the government unless tangible packages for workers are on the table. The President is currently attending the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Summit in New York, and the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity is also out of the country. The NLC's grievances are primarily related to the removal of the fuel subsidy, which has led to significant suffering and hardship for Nigerians. They accuse the government of neglecting social dialogue and failing to reach agreements with organized labour on these critical issues. Ajaero said: “There is a renewed onslaught against trade unions and its leadership by the state and its agents across Nigeria. ‘’The Police, under the instruction of certain forces peddling the name of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, invaded and occupied illegally the national headquarters of the National Union of Road Transport Workers headquarters seeking to install its own executive.”