Nigeria’s economy could screech to a halt next month if the labour unions make good on their decision to begin an indefinite strike on Tuesday October 3, after Nigeria’s Independence Day celebration the day before.
The joint labour unions – Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress – made the decision at their National Executive Council meetings held today after their three-week ultimatum to the government elapsed last week.
The unions and government had been locked in negotiations on the government’s proposals to lessen the economic hardship caused by inflation after President Tinubu abruptly ended subsidizing fuel consumption in June.
The unions have asked citizens to stock up on food supplies that could last families for at least a week.
Typically strikes by unions mean that even markets are shut.
The union’s presidents, Joe Ajaero of NLC and Festus Osifo of TUC in a joint press conference accused the government of insincerity in the negotiations and insensitivity to the plight of workers and ordinary Nigerians.
President Tinubu ordered the end of the contentious fuel subsidy and the merger of Nigeria’s currency exchange windows in June, both of which sent prices of goods and services spirally upwards.
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