Hardship: NLC Begins Nationwide Protests Feb. 27

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday declared a two-day nationwide protests slated for February 27 and 28, 2024 to express dissatisfaction with the current economic hardship and failure of the federal government to fully implement the October 2, 2023 agreement.

NLC president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, declared the protest at a media briefing in Abuja after the end of the labour centre’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.

He said it had held several meetings with the federal government after the signed agreement which contained 16-point palliative measures to cushion the impact of the fuel subsidy removal, but the government had failed to implement the agreement.

Ajaero said the congress was deeply disappointed and condemned the actions of the federal government in refusing to honour the agreement and address the mounting crisis of survival in Nigeria.

On February 8, 2024 both NLC and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) gave the federal government two-weeks ultimatum to implement all the agreements or face strike action.

The notice will however expire on the midnight of Thursday, February 22, 2024.

But Ajaero further stated that if on expiration the congress is not satisfied with the level of compliance with the conditions of the notice, it would be at liberty to take action to compel government to implement the agreement, including the February 27 and 28 nationwide protest.

The NEC also resolved that if the demands are not met after the nationwide protests, the congress would issue a seven-day notice that will expire on March 2 to the federal government, after which an indefinite nationwide strike would ensue.