Why we suspended the strike – Labour

Vanguard

17 January 2012

Why we suspended the strike – Labour

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG & OKECHUKWU NDIRIBE

ABUJA—LEADERS of organized labour in the country have given reasons why the indefinite strike and street protests declared to force the Federal Government revert the pump price of Petrol from N141 per litre to pre-January1, 2012 price of N65 per litre, was suspended after eight days.

Announcing the suspension of the strike at a joint press briefing in Abuja yesterday, leaders of NLC and TUC explained that the strike action forced the government to announce price reduction from N140 to N97 per litre after it had earlier said the price hike was irreversible, while the government has also adopted the policy to reduce cost of governance.

The labour leaders also said following the protests across the country, the government has now made up its mind to move decisively against massive and crippling corruption in the oil sector even as government now saw the need to prosecute economic saboteurs and accelerate the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill.

President, Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC),Abdulwaheed Omar , President Trade Union Congress (TUC), Peter Esele and other officials at a press conference to call off strike action in Abuja yesterday. Gbemiga Olamikan

They also explained that street protests and mass rallies were earlier suspended by labour, to save lives and in the interest of national survival.