National Assembly gate
Members of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), an affiliate of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), have shut down the National Assembly.
This action is part of the indefinite strike initiated by organized labor to demand a higher minimum wage and the reversal of the recent hike in electricity tariffs.
The union has temporarily suspended the provision of electricity and water to the structures housing the Senate and the House of Representatives, as well as other amenities within the National Assembly compound. This disruption is expected to severely impact legislative activities.
This latest development follows a series of coordinated strike actions across various sectors. As previously reported, the entire country is experiencing widespread power outages after the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) confirmed that the electricity workers union intentionally disabled the national grid. This resulted in a nationwide blackout that began in the early hours of June 3, 2024 .
Additionally, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has joined the strike, instructing university lecturers nationwide to participate in the industrial action. ASUU’s involvement underscores the broad support for the strike across different labor groups .
Healthcare services have also been affected, with nurses and midwives participating in the strike, adding further strain to an already challenging situation. This, combined with the suspension of flight operations at domestic terminals like Lagos Airport, has left passengers stranded and critical services disrupted .
In light of these developments, the government faces increasing pressure to address the demands of the labor unions. The disruption at the National Assembly signifies a heightened level of engagement from PASAN, signaling the seriousness of the unions’ demands and their readiness to escalate actions if necessary.
As the strike continues to unfold, further disruptions are anticipated, and the public is advised to stay informed and prepared for ongoing impacts on daily activities and services. The government’s response in the coming days will be crucial in determining the resolution of this nationwide industrial action.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has asked that the organised labour cancel the ongoing strike and continue to engage in negotiation meetings with the federal government.
The police said negotiations will lead to a resolution, as the strike could cause more hardship for Nigerians.
In a statement by Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the force’s public relations officer, the police asked the unions to shelve their strike to avoid the breakdown of law and order.
The statement indicated that the federal government considers the strike illegal and premature, and the police see it as a possible cause of tension and instability.
“In light of the Federal Government’s recent declaration that the planned strike is illegal and premature, the Nigeria Police Force views this action as a potential catalyst for increased tension and political instability.
“The NPF hereby urges organised labour to proceed with the ongoing deliberations at the Tripartite Committee, which is focused on determining a new minimum wage, and shelve the planned strike as such decision is essential to prevent untold hardships on members of the public and maintain order and stability within our country,” the statement reads in part.
The police also assured the public of sufficient deployments to allow citizens to perform their lawful duties without obstacles. The public is advised to stay calm and continue daily activities, while organised labour should act within the law and use dialogue and legal methods to address grievances.
“The Nigeria Police Force assures the public that ample deployments have been made across the country to ensure citizens can do their lawful duties without hindrance.
Therefore, all public members are encouraged to remain calm and continue with their lawful daily activities. At the same time, organized labour is urged to act responsibly and by the law, prioritizing dialogue and legal avenues to resolving the existing grievances,” the statement stated.
No comments:
Post a Comment