THE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has written to all its affiliate unions to mobilise members for the nationwide strike scheduled to commence on Wednesday, June 7.

The labour union called for the strike to revolt against the increase in the cost of fuel prices.

NLC affiliates include the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) and the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), among others.

The ICIR had reported that the President, Bola Tinubu, had declared that “fuel subsidy is gone” in his inaugural speech on Monday, May 29.

He noted that the subsidy was unsustainable and rising costs could not be justified as resources dwindled.

“We shall instead re-channel the funds into better investment in Public infrastructure, education, healthcare and jobs that will materially improve the lives of millions,” Tinubu added.

The ICIR also reported that with this declaration, fuel queues have resurfaced. Also, the fuel pump price and transportation costs have almost tripled.

Opposing the high cost of petrol, NLC, in a letter issued by its General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, asked the national leadership of the affiliate unions to mobilise their members for the action and ensure full compliance with directives.

The NLC said services in both the public and private sector are expected to be fully withdrawn by Wednesday.

“Please be informed that the nationwide action will commence on Wednesday, 7th June 2023. To this effect, all National Leadership are expected to mobilise their members for the action and ensure full compliance with the directives as services in both the public and private sectors are expected to be fully withdrawn by Wednesday, 7th June 2023.

“All Presidents and General Secretaries are expected to help ensure the implementation of the decisions of the National Executive Council,” the NLC said.

The ICIR reported that the NLC is to commence a nationwide strike on Wednesday, June 7, if the Federal Government fails to reverse the hike in the fuel pump price.

NLC President Joe Ajaero announced the decision in Abuja on Friday, June 2, after an emergency meeting of the union’s National Executive Council (NEC).

The NLC NEC at the meeting issued the Federal Government and the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) an ultimatum to reverse the new pump price by Wednesday, June 7, failing which the union will embark on the nationwide strike.

Ajaero said the decision was taken to force a reversal of the removal of fuel subsidy by the government.

According to him, the decision to embark on strike was prompted by the pains Nigerians are going through following the increase in the cost of petrol, otherwise known as premium motor spirit (PMS), after the Federal Government removed subsidy for the product.