NLC member
- Repss ask NLC to halt Strike,
- Labour leaders insists on nationwide mass protest
Members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Oyo State on Tuesday reportedly stormed the State Secretariat protesting and beating up civil servants.
About 15 members of the NLC drawn from various ministries, including judiciary, parastatals and agencies disrupted activities in government offices for several hours, locking some workers in their offices.
The aggrieved labour members blocked the entrance to the Government secretariat in the State over unpaid deduction arrears.
The ongoing protest by the Oyo State chapter of NLC began on Monday. The protesters are demanding payment of their deductions, and allowances among others.
Some of the protesters stormed the entrance of the State secretariat, and some male members of the union were assigned to chase people out of their offices. The protesters, who carried sticks, sang songs and disrupted official duties.
IdanNews gathered that a civil servant, Dare Olaniyan, a staff of the Oyo State Ministry of Information, and Orientation sustained injuries during the protest. He was manhandled and beaten by some of the protesters.
Reps ask NLC to halt Strike
The House of Representatives has called on NLC to suspend its nationwide strike beginning on Wednesday while calling on the Federal Government to expedite the implementation of planned palliative measures.
The Chairman of, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Akin Rotimi Jr, in a statement, urged the leadership of NLC and other labour unions “to please divert their energies to join the House of Representatives in continuous engagement with the federal government.”
The House said this would enable the workers to achieve expedited implementation of the interventions of the Federal Government and push for additional immediate measures to provide succour for Nigerians.
Part of the statement reads “We would however continue to impress on the executive arm of government to expedite the implementation of the palliative measures announced by President Tinubu in his broadcast on Monday,”
The lower chamber also urged the Federal Government to consider additional measures that would bring immediate respite to the people, as the measures announced take effect in the coming months.
NLC insists on planned nationwide mass protest, says no going back
NLC says it will hold its nationwide mass protest on Wednesday as planned.
The protest would serve as a prelude to NLC’s planned industrial action scheduled for August 2.
Earlier Tuesday, the presidential steering committee on palliatives, comprising the NLC, the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and government representatives, met concerning the palliatives for workers to cushion the effect of the removal of the petrol subsidy.
However, after the rescheduled meeting, Festus Osifo, TUC president, said President Bola Tinubu’s palliative measures were welcomed but not comprehensive enough
Osifo also said the labour unions would consult with its members to reach a consensus on the next course of action before the day ends.
In a statement signed by Joe Ajaero, NLC president on Tuesday evening, the labour union said after it met with the federal government earlier today, there was no resolution to its concerns raised.
the statement reads, “We want to inform all Nigerians that we have just risen from a meeting with the federal government where we sought to get them to listen to the demands of the people and workers of Nigeria,”
“The outcome of this meeting earlier today has, however, not changed anything or the course which we have set for ourselves tomorrow as custodians of the interests and desires of Nigerian workers and people.
“Nigerians are advised to ignore the work of fifth columnists who are working hard against the wishes of the people.
“We urge everyone to gather in our respective states and wherever we may be across the nation to give vent to this collective resolve.
“Once again, the nationwide mass protest will start tomorrow.”
