The Senate has urged the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) to postpone its planned strike over the elimination of gasoline subsidies and instead continue negotiations with the Federal Government.
The Senate resolution came after a motion was debated and approved in plenary on Monday.
Sen. Kawu Suleiman (NNPP-Kano) sponsored the resolution, titled “Urgent Need to Avert the Nigeria Labour Congress’s Intending Strike.”
Suleiman stated in his opening debate that the NLC has given the Federal Government a seven-day deadline to modify “anti-poor policies” or face an indefinite nationwide strike beginning August 2nd.
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He stated that the NLC had authorized all of its affiliates and state councils to begin mobilizing employees and other Nigerians, including civil society supporters, for a long-term strike and mass protests.
Suleiman stated that the Labor Party, in a statement signed by its National President, Joe Ajaero, claimed that the Federal Government had failed to meet the requests it had made following the elimination of petrol subsidies.
Failure to meet the stated demand could result in an exorbitant increase in the price of the commodity.
He voiced concern that the walkout would cripple the country by forcing commercial transport operators to withdraw their services and forcing markets, schools, and healthcare facilities to close.
According to him, the strike might stoke the polity if it occurs, claiming that the benefits outweighed the costs to either of the parties involved.
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The senator warned that if the NLC’s strike threat is not averted, it will plunge Nigeria into deeper economic difficulties, disrupt companies, and cause hunger and discontent.
More suffering, according to Suleiman, would result in unquantifiable financial losses and a decrease in Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
He claimed that the impending NLC strike would harm the Nigerian economy and educational system, portraying the country in a negative light to the outside world.
If the strike was allowed to continue, the Senator predicted a rise in crime and social vices such as armed robbery, oil bunkering, prostitution, and computer frauds, among other things.
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Following senators’ approval for the motion, the Senate resolved to direct its leadership to work with the NLC and the Federal Government to avoid the planned strike.
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