United Labour Congress, (ULC) has urged Nigerians to stockpile foodstuff and other basic necessities that would last them for a long period as they embark on an indefinite industrial action.
ULC’s President, Joe Ajero, has said that the strike was to press forward the Union’s demand of the need to create a nation that is better governed for the benefits of Nigerian workers and masses.
“This course of action, though very painful to us at this time, is the only alternative available to us as we have exhausted all known peaceful processes towards an amicable resolution of the dispute”
The President called on genuine patriots to join hands in solidarity with them in order to urge FG and State Governments to meet the demands of Nigerians.
He expressed displeasure over Federal Government’s inability to address pressing issues of concern, adding that FG responded with a letter through the Federal Ministry of Labour without adequately addressing the critical issues raised in ULCs’ demand.
“ULC urges all Nigerians to therefore take precaution and stock up on basic necessities as the strike will be very effective as we hope to cripple all modes of transportation within the nation, total black out nationwide, cut off petroleum products supplies, disrupt banking operations which will make life a bit more difficult for all Nigerians”
It would be recalled that ULC issued a 14-day ultimatum previously, starting from August 22 to September 8, 2017. Thereafter they made an immediate issuance of a 7-day ultimatum to FG from September 8 to September 15, 2017 to attend to their demands
ULC demands include:
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Federal Government honours its 2009 agreement with University Lecturers under the umbrella of ASUU quickly
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Repairs of all roads leading to all petroleum refineries and depots nationwide
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Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment set up task force to carryout factory inspection
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Immediate review of privatization of Power Holding Company of Nigeria
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Immediate payment of all arrears of salaries owed to workers at all levels of government without exception.
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Discontinuance of the proposed bill at the National Assembly seeking to control free speech under the guise of bill against hate speech
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Withholding of registration certificate of the ULC be stopped and the certificate released
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Inauguration of national minimum wage negotiating committee
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Inclusion of all representatives of labour in various Committees, Agencies and Directorates of Government and not favouring one over the other
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Ban on stationing Army and Police Officers in workplaces and factory premises to intimidate and harass workers in order to deny them their rights and privileges
Meanwhile, it would be worthy of note that the 2012 subsidy strike during Goodluck Jonathan’s administration cost Nigeria N1.94trn.
Workers in hospitals, network providers, police and armed forces, amongst others are usually exempted from strike action as they offer essential services to the public.
Last year, Denmark was among the top ten countries with the most strikes and lockouts, followed by Italy and then Russia whereas in places like China, strike is illegal. In Egypt, strike is a criminal offence and the government penalises workers by forcing them into retirement. In Swaziland, Trade Unions are banned and authorities use anti-terrorism laws to crack down on Union leaders.
Presently, there are three Labour Unions in Nigeria namely; the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the United Labour Congress (ULC). Although the NLC has come out to declare the ULC illegal and asked Government to ignore them.
