The threatened two-day warning strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to protest hardships caused by the removal of fuel subsidies on petroleum products begins today.
This move has garnered widespread support from key stakeholders, including the banking sector, civil society organizations, and workers’ unions, as they unite to address the growing economic crisis in the country.
The National Union of Banks, Insurance, and Financial Institutions Employees, the umbrella organization representing workers in the banking and insurance industries, on Monday vowed to take part in the strike, effectively shutting down financial activities across Nigeria.
A statement signed by the General Secretary of NUBIFIE, Mr. Mohammed Sheikh, underscored the importance of their participation in the two-day warning strike by the NLC, citing the need to draw the government’s attention to the dire economic situation faced by Nigerians.
The leadership of NUBIFIE has issued a notice that all banks will be shut down on Tuesday, September 5, and Wednesday, September 6, 2023, in line with the NLC’s two-day strike directive.
“The directives are imperative to get the needed attention of the government and to warn it against interfering in the internal affairs of unions instead of addressing the punishing economic circumstances we find ourselves in,” the statement emphasized.
Mr. Aboderin Olusola, the Senior Deputy General Secretary of NUBIFIE, reiterated their commitment to the NLC’s cause, stressing the necessity of solidarity among industrial unions during these trying times.
Olusola said, “It was NLC’s directive to all the industrial unions, and NUBIFIE didn’t have any option but to issue that circular to all our members and the management of banks and insurance companies in Nigeria.”
Joining the chorus of concern, the United Action Front of Civil Society has thrown its full support behind the NLC’s two-day warning strike.
In a statement signed by the Head of the National Coordinating Centre for the United Action Front of Civil Society, Wale Okunniyi, the organization expressed outrage over the hardship inflicted on Nigerians by the government’s decision to remove fuel subsidies and subsequently raise the price of premium motor spirit.
The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria has backed the Nigerian Labour Congress to embark on the two-day warning strike.
This was contained in a letter on Monday titled ‘Compliance to the Nigerian Labour Congress directive on a nationwide two-day warning strike’, signed by the Head of Media, MWUN, John Ikemefuna.
