Politics
THE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Ondo State on Wednesday protested the soaring cost of living attributed to the removal of subsidy on fuel by the government.
The state NLC Chairman, Comrade Victor Amoko, led the protesters from the NLC state secretariat to the Governor’s office, Alagbaka, Akure.
The protesters, who carried placards with various inscriptions include “Tinubu, Listen to Nigerians not World Bank”, “We Refuse to Die in Silence”, “No Minimum Wage, Give us Living Wage” and “‘We Demand Immediate Reversal of Electricity Hike.”
Speaking to newsmen after delivering a protest letter to the state government, Amoko said that the workers were not fighting the government but demanding for their rights.
He explained that 80 per cent of workers’ salaries were being spent on transportation, adding that nothing would be left for workers to provide for their families.
According to him, workers can no longer cope and tolerate unfulfilled promises from the government.
The NLC Chairman demanded for the immediate reversal of “harsh economic policies” to ensure the survival of Nigerian workers and the masses.
He advised the government to ensure that all the nation’s oil refineries are resuscitated and made functional, saying that it was illogical for the country to be exporting its crude oil for refining.
Amoko also said that the eight-month outstanding salaries of university teachers in the state should be paid.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Trade Union Congress ( TUC) in the state, Comrade Clement Fatuase, said that it was disheartening that people were groaning in the new government instead of rejoicing.
Fatuase said that the labour union demanded a stop to tuition hike in universities and unity schools across the country.
He said that the protest was a warning signal to the government, adding that the labour union would continue fight for the welfare of its members and the masses.
Responding on behalf of the state government, the Special Adviser on Labour Matters, Mr Dare Aragbaye, appreciated the protesters for their peaceful conduct.
Aragbaye promised that the protest letter would be submitted to the state acting governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
He said that the state government would always yield to the demands of workers in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some commercial banks did not open for transactions during the protest. (NAN)
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– Aug. 02, 2023 @ 15:18 GMT |
Tags: Comrade Clement Fatuase Comrade Victor Amoko Nigeria Labour Congress
