Bauchi NLC, TUC Set To Join Nationwide Strike

The Bauchi State chapters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have announced plans to join the indefinite nationwide strike planned by the organised labour on Monday.

Speaking with journalists yesterday, the state acting chairman of NLC, Ibrahim Mai Kudi, said that they received a circular from the national union and they would ensure total compliance.

He said the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) expressed grave concern and disappointment over the Federal Government’s failure to conclude and pass into law a new National Minimum Wage Act and reverse the vexatious hike in electricity tariff to N65/kwh which led the unions to plan a nationwide strike on Monday.

Ibrahim called on all affiliate civil society organisations, market men and women and the general populace to join the strike which he described as a total strike.

“We demanded a reversal of the last hike in electricity tariff to N225/kwh back to N65/kwh and stoppage of the discriminatory categorisation of consumers into bands. We carried out a nationwide one-day protest on May 13, 2024 giving the government until the last day of this month to take action but the government has not entirely shown any positive response despite the national outrage at this insensitive hike.

“Nigerian workers, who are the backbone of our nation’s economy, deserve fair and decent wages that reflect the economic realities. It is disheartening that despite our repeated calls and the clear ultimatum issued, the government continues to neglect its responsibility to the workforce. It has rather than engage in a dialogue, persistently raised its attack dogs to seek to denigrate and intimidate trade union leaders,” the NLC said.

According to the union, government must therefore seek the welfare of the people at all times and refusal to put the people first compels all patriots to take the right step in assisting the government to govern well.