The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened to shut down the economy if the federal government refuses to reverse the recent hike in petrol price and electricity tariff in 14 days.
The NLC president, Ayuba Wabba, said this at the end of the NLC’s central working committee (CWC) meeting on Wednesday in Abuja.
Mr Wabba said workers and Nigerians are disappointed that the government decided to increase both the price of fuel and electricity tariff at a time “other countries across the world are giving palliatives to their citizens to cushion the effect of COVID-19.”
The electricity distribution companies recently hiked their tariffs from about N30.23 to about N62.33 per kWh for Nigerians following the federal government removal of subsidy on electricity consumption.
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Also, the price of petrol increased from about N145 to about N161 per litre.
Trade Union Congress (TUC) and civil societies issued a seven-day ultimatum to the federal government to reverse the increases in petroleum products, electricity tariff and other social services, or prepare for an indefinite industrial action and national protest starting from September 23.
In an effort to resolve these issues, President Muhammadu Buhari directed the minister of employment and productivity to hold a meeting between the federal government, labour unions and the CSOs.
The meeting which was held on Tuesday, however, did not produce any agreement that can halt the impending strike actions
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