BREAKING NEWS: Labour gives 14-day ultimatum to FG over insecurity, hardship in the land

By allcitynews.ng

Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have given 14-day ultimatum to Federal Government to address, among other things, the biting hardship in the land.

Just as they included the inability of government to arrest kidnapping and general insecurity in the land as reason for the given ultimatum.

The President of NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero and his counterpart, TUC President, Comrade Festus Osifo blamed the displeasure of organised Labour over the hard economic condition that has been affecting the masses as another reason for the 14-day ultimatum.

In the same vein, they lamented against the systematic refusal by
government to play its part in the collective agreement reached by both government and the organised Labour four months through empty promises.

According to the duo, NLC and TUC expressed profound concern “over the non-implementation of the 16-point agreement reached with the Federal Government on October 2, 2023.

“Despite the passage of time, the majority of these crucial agreements remain unmet or negligibly addressed, indicating a blatant disregard for the principles of good faith, welfare and rights of Nigerian workers and Nigerians.”

Moreover Osifo and Ajaero lamented that “These agreements which were reached with the Federal Government were focused on addressing the massive suffering and the general harsh socioeconomic consequences of the ill-conceived and ill-executed IMF/World Bank induced hike in the price of PMS and the devaluation of the Naira. These dual policies have had as we predicted, dire economic consequences for the masses and workers of Nigeria.”

Furthermore, the duo noted that since the stylish neglect to play its role, there has been widespread hunger which is now ravishing millions of Nigerians, while also they noted that, the workers purchasing power has been significantly eroded.

Similarly they cried against the increase of insecurity which has assumed an increasing dimension.

“Nigerians are left wondering where their next meals will come from and what tomorrow might bring. The level of panic and anxiety amongst the populace has become nightmarish unfortunately, in the midst of all these, it appears our government is bereft of appropriate measures to ameliorate the huge burden it has foisted on the citizenry.

“We wish to state that these agreements, which encompass a wide range of issues crucial to the well-being of Nigerian masses and workers, have not been honored as pledged by the Federal Government.”

They stated that government has failed to apply any agreement to the extent that the wage awards, palliative adjustments to improved access to public utilities; have been in limbo.

Likewise they expressed disappointment over the unfriendly interference in the internal affairs of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and indicted Lagos State Government for its interference
in union activities, whereby LASG has illegally and unlawful proscriped Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN).

In addition, Ajaero and Osifo bemoaning government’s failure to uphold its end of the bargain, said “it is deeply regrettable and unacceptable to the working people and the citizenry.”

Based on the refusal of government to deliver good dividends of democracy by addressing the welfare of workers and the general masses and by offering good governance, they claimed that being pushed to the wall, labour should not be held responsible for defending rights and privileges of Nigerians, saying that they are “constrained by this development and recognizing the urgency of the situation and the imperative of ensuring the protection and defense of the rights and dignity of Nigerian workers and citizens, issue a stern ultimatum to the Federal Government, to honour their part of the understanding within 14 Days from tomorrow, the 9th day of February, 2024.”

Similarly, the unions noted that “It is regrettable that we are compelled to resort to such measures, but the persistent neglect of the welfare of citizens and Nigerian workers and the massive hardship leaves us with no choice. Therefore, everything must be done within the two weeks to avoid a situation where we may be compelled to take appropriate steps to protect Nigerian workers and masses.

“We call upon the Federal Government to honor its commitments without delay. The time for empty promises and excuses has passed. The time for action is now. Our patience has worn thin and the situation has become unbearable for workers and masses all over the federation.”

They noting that strike is the main tool with which to compel government to effectively play its role, also stated that “further silence amounts to committing mass suicide and this remains the only feasible course of action left for us and Nigerians to -compel remedial action by Government.

“We are committed to this resolve towards salvaging Nigerian workers and masses from the apparent insensitivity and lethargy of those in the corridors of power who are supposed to be the bastion of public trust.

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