The Federal Government’s alleged failure to take decisive measures to avert organised labour strike and protest over fuel subsidy removal has drawn criticism from Peter Esele, a former President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Labor’s pursuit of palliatives to soften the blow of the fuel subsidy removal remains persistent. In light of unproductive negotiations with the government, Labor has now threatened to embark on protests and a strike scheduled for Wednesday.
During his appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics show, Esele expressed his reaction to the ongoing situation, noting that the government’s efforts to address labour’s demands have been insufficient.
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‘I am at a loss why at this point in time the Federal Government would have allowed labour to go ahead and issue an ultimatum because right now it will be very difficult for Ajaero to back out; if he backs out he is going to be accused of selling out.’
‘And the other option for the government is that they should come out and say ‘This is what we are doing’. You just saw one of their demands which is that government should invest in CNG.’
‘I also have my worry about the protest and the strike but the challenge now is that even the organised labour will be up against the leadership for them to do something. So, the Federal Government has not done enough in allowing labour to go this far,’ Esele said.
On Friday, representatives of organised labour opted to storm out of a meeting with the Federal Government’s team regarding palliatives.
The meeting was intended to continue the discussions on palliatives aimed at mitigating the impact of the subsidy removal in the country.
The president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, led the labor team, who refrained from speaking to journalists while leaving the meeting location.