WHY LABOUR - FG TALKS STALLED AND
STRIKE/PROTESTS CONTINUE ON MONDAY
16TH JANUARY 2012
15th January, 2012
Press Statement
WHY LABOUR—FG TALKS STALLED AND
STRIKE/PROTESTS CONTINUE MONDAY 16
JANUARY 2012
The talks between the Federal Government
and Labour represented by the Nigeria
Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union
Congress (TUC) in Abuja on Saturday 14th
January, 2012 stalled due to differences on
the methodology in finding a solution to the
crisis.
Labour's analysis of the situation is that
tension is very high in the land following the
fuel price increase, the resultant strikes,
rallies and street protests and the human
causalities that have followed. And that a
suspension of the new petrol prices will
reduce tension and return the country to
normalcy.
We decided to make a plea to President
Goodluck Jonathan in the overriding interest
of the country to suspend the PMS (petrol)
price increases and direct that talks
between government and Labour be
concluded on the petroleum industry
especially at it affects fuel subsidy and
pricing within a short time frame.
We made a pledge that once the price
increase suspension is announced, Labour
and its allies will immediately suspend the
strikes, rallies and street protests.
The summary of Labour's position at the
meeting was that talks and consultations
were on-going before government aborted
them by announcing the 120-220 per cent
increase in the price of petrol, and that it is
necessary to return to the status quo in
order to douse tension, return the country
to normalcy and allow for a conducive
atmosphere for consultations and talks.
However, Government's only offer was to
reduce the new prices while declining to
allow a phased price increase. We think that
the government position will not return the
country to normalcy. The Labour Movement
pledges that whenever and wherever
government invites us for talks, we shall be
there without any conditionality.
Objectives of the Strikes and Protests
The Labour Movement once again reiterate
that the strikes, rallies and streets protests
must be peaceful and that the objective is
the reversal of the petrol (PMS) prices to
their pre-January 1, 2012 level. We are
therefore not campaigning for 'Regime
Change'
The Labour Movement is wedded to
democracy, therefore, anybody or group
that wants a change in the political
leadership of the country at whatever level,
should do so through the ballot box.
The Labour Movement and its Civil Society
allies are also saddened by the
unprecedented loss of lives and injuries
sustained during the indefinite strikes,
rallies and streets protests that commenced
from Monday January 9, 2012.
We reiterate that those who visit violence on
protesters and their masters who gave such
evil orders will individually be brought to
justice.
We in the Labour Movement have done our
duty to our country; we have made
tremendous sacrifices including loss of lives;
we have carried out the mandate of the
Nigerian people; we can do no more.
For the avoidance of any doubt, the
indefinite strikes, rallies and protests
continue nationwide from Monday 16th
January, 2012.
Owei
Lakemfa John
Kolawole
Acting General Secretary
Secretary General
Nigeria Labour Congress Trade
Union Congres

The Labour Movement once again reiterate
that the strikes, rallies and streets protests
must be peaceful and that the objective is
the reversal of the petrol (PMS) prices to
their pre-January 1, 2012 level. We are
therefore not campaigning for 'Regime
Change'

Weak like a dead battery.

The bottom line is that the strike continues. Chikena.