THE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has said it will call out its members to protest against the recent hike in electricity tariff and fuel price if the Federal Government fails to act within 14 days.
President of the Union, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, made the disclosure on Wednesday at the end of the body’s Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting in Abuja.
He said, “We are surprised that at a time other countries across the world are giving palliatives to their citizens to cushion the effect of COVID-19, Nigerians are asked to pay more for fuel and electricity.
“A hike, as announced by government, has reduced the purchasing power of Nigerians and Nigerian workers.
“It has also brought about a high cost of goods and services which has completely eroded the gains of the N30,000 minimum wage.
“The CWC and the National Executive Council (NEC) also took reports of the meeting that took place between the Federal Government and organised labour where NLC was represented by 14 of its leaders.
“After examining the outcome of the meeting, we resolved to issue a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to reverse the fuel price hike or face industrial action.
“In furtherance to this, the CWC also resolved to convene a meeting of the NEC in line with our constitution, on Sept. 22, 2020.
“This is to also give effect to the decision because the proposed action will commence on Monday, September 28, 2020 `if the issues are not addressed.”
“The experience we have here is that somebody actually loaded a credit of N30,000 and it could not take him two weeks. That is the general experience all over the country.
“The hike is one decision that is biting every worker and every family. I think it is a decision that certainly requires reversion.”
