Fuel Scarcity Looms As Nigerian Petroleum Workers Shut Down Depots Monday In Line With NLC Directive
Nigerian Petroleum Workers, under the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), are set to join the nationwide strike initiated by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) starting on Monday, June 3, 2024. This decision comes as part of the organized labor’s demand for a new National Minimum Wage Act and the reversal of recent increases in electricity tariffs. NUPENG has directed its members to cease all operations, including the distribution and marketing of petroleum products, effective from midnight on Sunday, June 2, 2024. The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejoecha, has appealed to the NLC to reconsider their strike action, emphasizing the potential negative impact it could have on the already struggling Nigerian populace. She highlights the government’s efforts in negotiations, presenting proposals that include a wage increase for federal workers and initiatives to support sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, education, and healthcare. Onyejoecha stresses the government’s cautious approach to implementing a new minimum wage to mitigate potential job losses, especially in the private sector, which employs the majority of the workforce. However, the organized labor remains resolute in their decision to proceed with the strike, citing dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of negotiations and its failure to address the concerns of Nigerian workers. This development underscores the growing unrest and socio-economic challenges facing Nigeria, as various sectors unite in demanding meaningful change and fair treatment for the country’s workforce.
SaharaReporters
