The Labour Party, LP, has thrown its weight behind the October 3, 2023 nationwide strike declared by the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC and Trade Union Congress, TUC saying workers have endured enough economic hardship imposed by the removal of fuel subsidy.
The NLC and TUC issued a communique on Tuesday where the two labour unions declared a total shutdown of the country starting from next Tuesday, citing the pains inflicted on Nigerians by the removal of subsidy on petrol.
Among other things, organized labour is demanding an increase in the minimum wage for their members to be able to survive the current economic hardship.
Reacting to the strike notice, LP said it supports any legal means by labour to press home their demands of better life for their members.
The party made its position known in a statement it issued on Wednesday.
The statement said Nigerians have been pushed to the wall considering the hardship in the country currently, including the hardship facing parents in paying school fees for their children, the high cost of living as well as the continued depreciation of the naira.
LP said, “Daily, Nigerians are subjected to harsh economic realities where the inflation rate is nearing 30 percent, where a dollar is sold above N1000, and where par-capital income has depreciated. Many families are withdrawing their wards from schools over a hike in school fees, while criminal activities are surging daily.
“We think that the Nigerian workers have shown enough patience and understanding. We are also using this medium to inform all our members and supporters to stock their homes with their necessary needs ahead of a long-drawn mass action until victory is ascertained.”
The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, have always described the labour unions as appendages of the LP considering how they supported the party during the last election.
The unions supported the candidadate of the party, Peter Obi during the presidential election in March.
