- Nigeria’s oil workers mobilise for NLC, TUC strike over fuel price, electricity tariff hike
Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has begun mobilisation of oil workers nationwide for the strike organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress TUC strike, slated to begin on Monday, September 28, 2020.
PENGASSAN, which declared its decision to join the strike in circular tagged; “Call To Action,” obtained by Platforms Africa, ordered withdrawal of services nationwide.
The circular issued by the National General Secretary, Mr. Lumumba Ighotemu Okugbawa, and addressed to all branch chairmen and secretary noted that all chairmen “are advised to mobilise members to participate in the strike.”
The circular reads; “This is to your norice that the two labour centres in Nigeria; Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have jointly resolved to commence a national industrial action over increase on fuel (price) and electricity tariff effective Monday, 28th September 2020.
“To this effect, you are advised to mobilise our members to participate in the planned industrial action, while awaiting further directive.”
The labour strike despite a Court Order against the action.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has already declared plan to go ahead with the planned industrial action despite a Court injuction against the action.
This came just as the meeting between its leadership and representatives of the Nigerian government ended in deadlock.
The labour unions planned a nationwide protest over the hike in the cost of petrol and electricity tariff.
President of the NLC, Ayuba Wabba, declared in Abuja Thursday after the meeting with a Federal Government delegation to resolve the issues.
The meeting, with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, leading the Federal Government team, however, ended in deadlock.
Speaking on the ruling of the National Industrial Court, Abuja stopping the impending strike, Wabba said he had not been served, adding that the group that filed the suit was not his employers.
He said: “How does that (injunction) affect me if I have not been served?
“Have I been served?
“Are they our employers?
“What relationship do I have with any group?”
