The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged workers and the Nigerians to join hands with it to build a coalition determined to stand against unfavourable government policies.
The President of the NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, said this in his closing address at the 2023 Rain School of the Congress, held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Ajaero said, “We have all spent a fruitful week learning new skills and getting empowered for the battle ahead – the struggles for a more humane and inclusive globe where workers will no longer be seen as appendages but as critical players towards greater wealth creation and development.
“The hardwork has been done and we believe the harvest and its various outcomes would soon be demonstrated in new, deeper and more robust engagements with the social partners, especially as we grapple with the increasing threat of neo-liberalism and its offshoots such as the incipient and burgeoning anti-poor, pro-capital policies of the government of Nigeria.
“It is important that we quickly draw your attention to the insensitive and utterly unacceptable hike in the prices of petroleum products by the government of Nigeria in the midst of the suffering occasioned by the earlier hike of same product price to N537/litre on May 29.
“Nigerians were yet to grapple with the shock of that inauguration day price increase when, just few days ago, we were shocked with the announcement of a fresh price hike to N617/litre by the agents of the Federal Government. To us comrades, this is most unconscionable and a further attempt at emasculating an already suffering and bent Nigerians who are currently groaning under the yoke of an unbending malevolent group presently occupying the corridors of power.”
“The skills we have acquired here must be used to strategically respond to this nascent wickedness if we must remain relevant as the people cry out and ask ‘where is labour and where is the NLC?’
“It is in the nature and robustness of our response that the testimony of what we have acquired these past days will be borne. It is truly going to be a demonstration of our resilience which is anchored on how we are able to meet with the desires and expectations of those who look up to us for the articulation and defence of their rights and privileges.
“It is on this note that we call on all Nigerians to get ready to join hands with us as we begin preparation to build a coalition of all Nigerian people; a coalition of the suffering, oppressed and deprived where everyone will be a leader and everyone will be a follower. Hunger and poverty transcend ethnic and religious boundaries and it is our collective and indeed civic duty to save ourselves and our nation from the clutches of these mindless policies.”
“As we brace for another round of struggle for the emancipation of our people and ourselves, we call on all of us who have attended this year’s programme to take charge and provide leadership in their various constituencies so that together, we can generate the critical mass needed to compel this government to listen to the wishes of the Nigerian people.”
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