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Labour explains deadlock ,declares weekend break for
strikes, rallies and protests
Newsdiaryonline Fri Jan 13,2012
Crowd of protesters
Nigeria’ s Labour Movement and it civil society allies have
decided to declare a
weekend break for strikes, rallies and protests. This is to
enable Nigerians restock and reenergize themselves for the
struggle ahead. A statement today said “The Labour Movement and
its civil society allies after nationwide consultations (have)
decided that this weekend, Saturday 14th
and Sunday
15th January, 2012, will be observed as strike, protest and
rally-free days. We ask Nigerians to utilize these days to rest,
restock and get re-energized for the continuation of the
strikes, rallies and protests from Monday 16th January, 2012.”
The statement by Owei
Lakemfa and John Kolawole for NLC and
TUC respectively also
explained why the meeting with government was deadlocked . “The
NLC, TUC and their allies in the Civil Society Movement on
Thursday 12th January,
2012 met with the Senate leadership, Nigeria Governors
Forum and the Executive Arm. At the meeting,
Labour asked the Presidency to suspend the new petrol
(PMS) price increases announced on January 1, 2012.
In return, we offered to suspend forthwith, the strikes,
mass rallies and street protests. We also suggested that an
expanded committee be set up which would discuss the fuel
subsidy issue and pricing for petrol.
The Government side
presented a counter proposal asking Labour to negotiate new fuel
prices. Since we had no such mandate, Labour declined and
decided to return to its National Executive Council meetings
which will be held on Saturday 14th January, 2012 for a possible
expanded mandate. Labour commends the National Assembly for its
intervention and further urges the Presidency to be more
reconciliatory towards the people and show more understanding
and sensitivity to their feelings and collective interests ”
labour said
Read today’s press
statement by Labour
below:
Weekend break for strikes, rallies and protests
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC)
and Joint Action Front (JAF) commend the Nigerian people for
turning out in their millions
since Monday
January 9, 2012, to
protest the astronomical increase in the price of PMS (Petrol).
We commend them for their resolute stand and insistence
in struggling for a better country.
The Labour Movement and its civil society allies after
nationwide consultations has decided that this weekend, Saturday
14th and Sunday
15th January, 2012, will be observed as strike, protest
and rally-free days. We ask Nigerians to utilize these days to
rest, restock and get re-energized for the continuation of the
strikes, rallies and protests from Monday 16th January, 2012.
Discussions with Government
The NLC, TUC and their allies in the Civil Society Movement on
Thursday 12th January,
2012 met with the Senate leadership, Nigeria Governors
Forum and the Executive Arm. At the meeting,
Labour asked the Presidency to suspend the new petrol
(PMS) price increases announced on January 1, 2012.
In return, we offered to suspend forthwith, the strikes,
mass rallies and street protests. We also suggested that an
expanded committee be set up which would discuss the fuel
subsidy issue and pricing for petrol. The Government side
presented a counter proposal asking Labour to negotiate new fuel
prices. Since we had no such mandate, Labour declined and
decided to return to its National Executive Council meetings
which will be held on Saturday 14th January, 2012 for a possible
expanded mandate. Labour commends the National Assembly for its
intervention and further urges the Presidency to be more
reconciliatory towards the people and show more understanding
and sensitivity to their feelings and collective interests.
Owei Lakemfa
John Kolawole
NLC Acting General Secretary
TUC Secretary General
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