The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a stern warning that it will cease its services across the nation if its members are assaulted during the planned two-day protest set to commence on February 27, 2024.
In a statement released on Sunday, the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, affirmed that there would be no reversal on the proposed industrial action. The NLC has urged the Federal Government to take decisive action, implement its agreement with the Organised Labour, and address the escalating economic crisis plaguing Nigeria.
The country is currently grappling with a surge in inflation, food inflation, a forex crisis, economic hardship, and an increased cost of living triggered by the removal of petrol subsidy. These issues have sparked protests in various parts of the country.
Despite the government's subtle attempts to dissuade the group from proceeding with the planned strike, the NLC has asserted that its members will not be intimidated into cancelling their proposed nationwide protest. The group stated, “All we are saying now is that; let there be food for the people, let the people live in safety, let the people live a life of dignity devoid of suffocating IMF/World Bank economic policies.”
The Labour has also expressed concern over alleged plans to disrupt peaceful rallies across the country. Ajaero stated, “We would want the State to know that the solution to our horrible economic situation and hunger is not by suppressing peaceful dissent or inflicting violence on peacefully protesting citizens as the government did in Minna and other cities where its agents tear-gassed and beat up women before locking them up for raising their voice against hunger. It does not lie in the deployment of State-sponsored terror. The pangs of hunger cannot be cowed by bullets or tear gas."
He further added, “In light of this, we at the Nigeria Labour Congress and civil society allies are moving ahead with our protest rallies against economic hardship and insecurity in line with the decision of the National Executive Council.”
Ajaero urged the State to devise solutions to alleviate the suffering inflicted on the people, rather than further dehumanising them. He warned that if the State chooses to resort to violence against them and other peace-loving Nigerians, it would be making a costly mistake. He cautioned, “if we are attacked there will be a total shutdown via withdrawal of services by workers. Let no one be deceived, we and other deprived Nigerians cannot easily be intimidated.”