The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has withdrawn from the nationwide protest organized by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over the economic hardship in the country. The TUC, which is the second-largest labor federation in Nigeria, said it was not part of the decision-making process that led to the declaration of the protest.
The TUC’s vice president, Tommy Etim, said in a statement on Thursday that the protest was not related to the 14-day ultimatum that the TUC and the NLC jointly issued to the federal government in October 2023. The ultimatum demanded the implementation of the agreement reached on minimum wage, fuel price, electricity tariff, and mass transit buses.
Etim said the TUC expected the NLC to consult with it before announcing the dates for the protest, which were February 27 and 28. He said the TUC was not comfortable with the unilateral action of the NLC president, Ayuba Wabba, who he accused of being high-handed and dictatorial.
Etim said the TUC was still committed to the welfare and interests of Nigerian workers and the masses. He said the TUC would continue to engage the government and other stakeholders on the issues affecting the economy and the livelihoods of Nigerians.
He also said the TUC was not intimidated by the advice of the Department of State Services (DSS) to shelve the protest. He said the TUC was a law-abiding and democratic organization that respected the rights of Nigerians to peaceful protest.
He, however, urged the NLC to reconsider its stance and dialogue with the TUC and other partners on the best way to address the economic challenges facing the country. He said the TUC hoped that the NLC would act in the spirit of solidarity and unity that characterized the labor movement in Nigeria.
Source: Nigerian Tribune
