Trade Union Congress (TUC) has given the Federal Government 7-day ultimatum to reverse the hike in prices of electricity, petrol and all other social services in the country to status quo ante (prior to increase).
In a statement signed by Comrade Quadri Olaleye, President of TUC and Comrade (Barr) Musa Lawal Ozigi, Secretary General of TUC, and made available to Borderless News on Monday, the union said the federal government should provide adequate and quality healthcare and education for all (Nigerians) to save the poor and the vulnerable at all levels.
“We have observed the gradual and steady annihilation of Nigeria and Nigerians in the light of government actions for the umpteenth time. Some of the issues that have become worrisome to the working class, their families and the masses include:
“Sudden increase in pump price of petrol without any definitive and concrete efforts to make our refineries functional, which has a devastating multiplier effect on the working people and their families;
“Increase in electricity tariff without proper consultation and consideration of the effect of COVID – 19, commensurate electricity supply, non-provision of prepaid meters and other biting economic realities.
“Non-implementation of the negotiated National Minimum Wage by most of the state governments, and federal government’s inability to create and sustain salary date and calendar to ensure transparency,” the statement stated.
However, the union concluded by stressing that the demands were made in good faith, and to save the dying masses and the vulnerable in the society.
“In the event of not showing empathy for this class of people by adhering to above demands, we shall, together with our civil societies and allies, sympathetic to the suffering masses of our people commence an indefinite industrial action and national protest from Wednesday 23rd September 2020.”
