Nigerian Labour Congress Suspends Nationwide Strike

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Sunday in Abuja suspended its nationwide strike which it embarked on to protest hike in electricity tariff and increase in the pump price of petrol in the country.

This is contained in a communique at the end of an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the congress.

The communique, signed by Ayuba Wabba and Dr Peter Ozo-Eson, President and General-Secretary of the congress respectively, stated that the suspension was with immediate effect.

The congress commended the leadership of the National Assembly and All Progressives Congress, led by Bola Tinubu, for the interfacing between the labour and the government on the issue.

The communique said that after due consultation with NASS and the intervention of Tinubu, NEC with its constituents, resolved to suspend the strike that commenced on May 18.

“The congress will resume negotiation with government on the twin issues of hike in electricity tariff and increase in the pump price of petroleum products and any other issues that may arise thereof.”

The communique said that NLC “remains committed to genuine dialogue within the framework of international established and recognised principles of representation”.

“The congress will continue to resist wrong legislation, policies and programmes and will always act in the best interest of Nigerians. NLC remains the only pan-Nigerian organisation not affected by religion, region, creed, partnership or primordial sentiments. The congress urges the government to play by the rules in its engagement with its constituent parts, stakeholders and non-state actors as proof of its commitment to deepening our democracy,” it said.

The communique therefore commended those who took part in the action in one way or the other and reaffirmed its commitment to the struggle.

It stated that the action was taken in the best interest of the poor and the weak and to also draw government attention to the danger of relying on the importation of petroleum products.

NLC urged the citizenry to be vigilant at all times, adding that the price of freedom remained eternal vigilance.