Protest: NASS promises to address Labour demands in 7-days

The National Assembly (NASS) has pledged to review and address organised labour demands within the next week.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, said this when organised labour took its mass protest to the National Assembly Complex, where it submitted a list of its demands on Wednesday in Abuja.

The mass protest was organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) over the anti-poor and worker policies of the Federal Government.

The protesters carried placards with inscription such; “We condemn increase in school fees, “Stop importation of Petrol, Revive the Refineries,” ”Increase in price of fuel responsible for inflation, poverty among others.

Akpabio, who was represented by Ali Ndume, Chief Whip of the Senate, assured the protesting workers that NASS was in support of their struggle.

“We have keenly followed what is going on since we realised that there was a breakdown in the discussions between the Presidency and the NLC. I want to assure you that we will find a permanent solution to this.

“Please give us one week and we will make progress, and if you are not satisfied with the progress we are making, then you can take further action, he said.

He also said that a committee had been set up to look into the demands of organised labour.

He added that by the close of the day or tomorrow, they will call the first meeting with labour to start the discussions, and the engagements will continue.

“We will do our best as your representatives to come up with solutions acceptable to you and realistic enough, he said.

Ndume also assured that the letter, which contained their demands and terms of reference, would be handed over to the leadership of the Senate.

Earlier, NLC President, Mr. Joe Ajaero, said the nationwide mass protest was to express workers’ frustrations and grievances about the anti-poor policies that had brought hardship to Nigerians.

He added, ”For almost two months now, we have been engaged in discussions without fruitful motion. We got frustrated.”

He, however, said that the demands of the labour movement include the immediate implementation of the resolutions jointly signed with organised labour and the government.

Ajaero also called for the immediate reversal of all anti-poor policies of the government, including the recent hike in PMS prices, school fees, and VAT.

He also urged the Federal Government to fix the country's local refineries in Porthacourt, Warri, and Kaduna.

According to him, release the eight months withheld salaries of the university lecturers and workers.

“Accord appropriate recognition and support to the Presidential Steering Committee and the work of its Subcommittees.

“Also put a stop to human actions and the policies of government,” he added.

Also speaking, Mr. Festus Osifo, TUC President, called for a reduction in the cost of governance.

Osifo said that the government was “insensitive to the plight of the masses.”

“The Nigerian masses have been battered. They have gone through excruciating pain, but in all of this, we have not heard what the President has to say about the cost of governance.

“We want you in the National Assembly to show sacrifice. We want you to cut your budget.

“We want you to buy Nigerian-made cars and not imported vehicles because you are creating jobs over there and importing poverty here.

“We want you to show leadership because we elected you to work for us,” he said.