NewsNigeriaPoliticsNLC direct workers to resume work today after a successful first-day rally 

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has directed all workers under it and affiliate unions to resume work today after a one-day mass rally to demonstrate “outrage over the massive suffering and hunger facing the masses and workers.”

The labour group and its affiliates took to the streets on Tuesday to call the government’s attention to the “increasing scourge of hardship” Nigerians are battling with as a result of the “policies of the government to hike the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and float the naira.”

The work stoppage paralyzed the economy,  caused a loss of electricity, and the closure of banks and some key organisations.

At a late-night meeting on Tuesday, the executives of the NLC agreed to suspend the street action for the second day (today) and communicated the same to its members.

The National Executive Council of the labour union passed a vote of confidence on “Nigerians, all NLC affiliates, state councils, workers and civil society allies across the nation for trooping out in large numbers to peacefully demonstrate their outrage on the hardship imposed by the government and its twin altars – the IMF and the World Bank.”

The labour group said yesterday’s protest sent  a “strong message to the powers that be on their united resolve to demand accountability from those who occupy positions of leadership in our nation.”

And it resolved as follows:

– To suspend street action for the second day of the protest having achieved overwhelming success and thus attained the key objectives of the 2-day protest on the first day.

– However, nationwide action continues tomorrow (today) with simultaneous press conferences across all the states of the federation by the state councils of the Congress including the national headquarters.

– To reaffirm and extend the 7-day ultimatum by another seven days which now expires on the 13th day of March 2024 within which the government is expected to implement all the earlier agreements of the 2nd day of October 2023 and other demands presented in our letter during today’s nationwide protest.

– To meet and decide on further lines of action if on the expiration of the 14 days government refuses to comply with the demands as contained in the ultimatum.