The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), has said it was never part of the planned protest slated by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for Tuesday and Wednesday, 27 and 28 February, respectively over economic hardship.
TUC further explained that NLC’s protest for economic hardship was not related to the initial 14-day ultimatum given to the Federal government because of the non implementation of the agreement on wage award, salary increase, CNG buses, and others reached with government in October 2023.
“ However, this protest that is being called by the NLC is not related to the ultimatum that we jointly gave. What we were told by NLC is that the protest is not related to the ultimatum that was given jointly.”
TUC President, Festus Osifo, said this when he addressed journalists in Abuja on some recommendations on what the government should do to end the worsening economic hardship and revive the country’s economy
The Congress told President Bola Tinubu to, as a matter of urgency, to order the importation of food items within two weeks from any part of the world to cushion the effect of hardship in the country.
TUC has also accused the International Monetary Fund, the IMF, and the World Bank of being behind the high cost of living in the country through their advice for the removal of subsidy on petroleum products and electricity tariffs and told the government to stop following the dictates of the two world bodies.
He said, “So, it is when you jointly agree, right? That you want to do something. When you agree jointly that is the way to go and along the line you now decided that you are not doing again.
“Comrades, can any of you show us where there is any agreement for us coming together? Whenever we are doing things together you always see us together addressing you. On that particular day, did you see any member of TUC there?”
The Trade Union Congress further lists its solution demands from government to include: “ Determination of Real Value of Naira, New Minimum Wage, Custom Exchange Rate for Goods used in Manufacturing, Allegation that sub Nationals throw billions of Dollars Monthly into the Parallel Market, Dollarization of Political Party Primaries and Electioneering, Clamp down on speculative trading in the foreign exchange market, Patronizing Made in Nigeria Goods, Strengthening the Economic Management Team, Time to stop following the dictate of IMF and World Bank, Effectively supervising the activities of Banks, Curbing Crude Oil Theft and Increasing Investment in enhancing Oil and Gas Production, Curbing Insecurity for Farmers to Return to Farm, Temporary Importation of Food from Abroad, Local Refinery of Crude Oil.”
Furthermore, Osifo said; “Some of these solutions are for immediate implementation. Some are for medium-term implementation, while others are for long term. That means some of them may not be implemented in one year. But we believe that those ones that can be implemented immediately, should be done. I believe that if government goes ahead to do those things. Most of the problems that we are facing today, will be eased off.
