The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for the reversal of “ill-conceived” policies that have plunged the country into an economic crisis, sparking widespread protests across Nigeria.
In a joint statement signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero and General Secretary Emmanuel Ugboaja, the union disclosed this at an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Wednesday.
The protests, dubbed #EndBadGovernance, erupted on Thursday, August 1, as Nigerians expressed their frustration over President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, including the removal of fuel subsidies and electricity tariff hikes, as well as the overall lack of effective governance.
The EXPLAINER gathered that although the government has argued that the policy reforms are necessary to revive the Nigerian economy, many citizens have been heavily impacted by the ripple effects.
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The NLC condemned the “unrepentant massacre of unarmed protesters” by security forces, stating that the government cannot stop a democratic protest through threats and violence, but rather through “concrete actions and reasonable dialogue.”
“The attempt to criminalise protest is completely deplorable especially in a democracy. The hiring and use of sponsored thugs and divisive propaganda in an effort to scuttle the protests is most unfortunate,” the union said in the communique.
The union called for the reversal of the “ill-conceived policies” and the implementation of measures that prioritize the welfare of the people, create jobs, and ensure fair distribution of resources. It also demanded an independent investigation into the killings and maiming of protesters, as well as the immediate release of those arrested.
Furthermore, the NEC directed all workers across the country to continue to take measures to protect themselves while maintaining a commitment to non-violence and lawful actions during the protests.
The NLC emphasized its unwavering dedication to defending the rights and welfare of Nigerian workers and the broader population, vowing to “not relent in our efforts to ensure that justice, equity, and good governance prevail in our nation.”
