BREAKING: Labour calls off strike

NLC calls off strike after several deliberations
–  The president of the NLC, Ayuba Wabba says the
decision to call off the strike came after an
emergency meeting of the NEC
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Sunday, May
22, called off its nationwide strike.
Speaking to journalists, the president of the NLC,
Ayuba Wabba said the union is calling off the strike
after several deliberations.
Wabba said the decision to call off the strike came
after an emergency meeting of the National Executive
Council of the NLC.
“After an exhaustive deliberation, NEC noted its
protest action was informed by the twin issues of the
unjustified and illegal hike in electricity tariff and
increase in the pump price of petroleum products,”
Wabba said.
He also said the council adjudged that the strike
action is a success in spite of both internal and
external challenges the union faced during the
period.
“In consideration of the above, NEC after due
consultation with its constituents resolved to
suspend with immediate effect, the action it
commenced on Wednesday, May 18, 2016. The action
is thus hereby suspended,” he said.
He commended all those who participated in the
action, stating that the union is committed to
genuine dialogue within the framework of
internationally established and recognized principles
of representation with it and the Nigerian
government.’
He insisted that the action was taken in the best
interest of the poor and the weak, pointing out that
the action drew government’s attention to the
dangers of relying on importation of petroleum
products as a sustainable strategy for making
available petroleum products, expressing the belief
time would prove its position right in the days
ahead.
While commending some concerned Nigerians for
intervening, Wabba said NEC urged the government
to play by the rules in its engagement with its
constituent unions, interest groups and non-state
actors as proof of its commitment to deepening
democracy in the country.
He however condemned the activities of the security
operatives especially the police in Ebonyi state. Also
present at the briefing include, renowned activist and
lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN).
The labour unions had embarked on an industrial
action on Wednesday, May 18, to force the federal
government to revert to the pump price of petrol from
N145 to its former price of N86.50. However,
the strike lasted just three days as workers largely
ignored its directive to stop work.