The labour unions regretted that the policies were without any accompanying socio/economic measures to ameliorate or cushion the immediate effects and impacts on the citizenry.
Labour unions have began mobilization ahead of its planned October 3rd, 2023 indefinite strike.
This comes after executives of the Trade Union Congress and Nigeria Labour Congress asked their affiliate unions to begin mobilisation to actualise their aim.
Recall that the two labour centres had on Tuesday, declared an indefinite strike to commence on Oct 3 against the subsidy removal policy of the Federal Government, including its perceived failure to put in place far-reaching palliatives for the most vulnerable citizens.
A memo circulated by the leadership of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) on Thursday, which was forwarded to our correspondent, described as disturbing and unfortunate, the insensitivity being displayed by the federal government and other tiers of government.
NUPENG carpeted the government as being insensitive to the excruciating and debilitating socio/economic pains Nigerians are passing through as a result of very harsh and sudden economic policies taken by this administration.
It regretted that the policies were without any accompanying socio/economic measures to ameliorate or cushion the immediate effects and impacts on the citizenry.
“Consequent upon the joint resolution of the National Executive Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress as the outcome of the joint National Executive Council meeting of the two Labour Federation, held on 25th September, 2O23, we wish to inform all our members in the formal and informal sectors of the Nigeria oil and gas industry and alert the general public that the rank and file members of our union are hereby directed to commence full mobilization and ensure unwavering compliance with the directive of the two labour centres to all affiliate unions to embark on a nationwide industrial action from midnight of 3rd October 2023, ” NUPENG intimated its members.
The Oil and Gas union equally berated the government over what it described as a total lack of respect and regard for organized labour and the Nigerian masses.
“It is in the light of the above, that NUPENG as a responsive and responsible affiliate Union of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), will fully comply with the resolution of the joint NEC meeting and we hereby direct the leaders in the four (4) Zonal Councils of our great Union to mobilize all our members in the formal and informal sectors to shut down services effective 3rd October, 2023.
“All NUPENG members, including the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), Petrol Stations Workers (PSW), Liquefied Petroleum Gas Retailers (LPGAR) and all other allied workers in the value chain of petroleum products distribution must comply with this directive from midnight of Tuesday, 3rd October 2023.
“All Branches and Units of our Union are to take note and ensure full compliance by setting up Compliance and Monitoring Teams in all operational locations,” NUPENG emphasised