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Headlines : InternationalNigerian unions launch general strike over fuel prices
Nigerian unions appear to have organized an impressive general strike against government moves to implement a fuel-price increase. The price hike, which reflects global market conditions, was ordered by the outgoing Obasanjo government (leaving a nasty political mess for his successor, Umaru Yar’Adua).
From Lagos to the Niger delta, coordinated actions have struck all areas of the Nigerian economy, with the labor movement leveraging its ability to hit oil exports.
Unions reportedly rejected a government proposal that would have cut the price increase by 50 percent while reversing controversial privatizations and VAT increases at the same time. Showing both resolve and strength, union leaders told the government that they would strike until the price was lowered, and not trust in the probity of politicians.
[Posted By Szamko]Republished from Associated Press via the Toronto Globe & Mail
Nigeria’s powerful labour unions launched a general strike Wednesday to protest government price hikes, leaving many schools and banks shuttered and normally bustling streets quieter in Africa’s oil giant.
The unions, including Nigerian workers in the oil industry, rejected concessions by new President Umaru Yar’Adua’s government on Tuesday aimed at averting the action and said Wednesday the work stoppage was under way.
“The strike is going on. The people have complied,” said Owei Lakemfa, a spokesman for the umbrella Nigerian Labour Congress.
Some streets in Lagos, sub-Saharan Africa’s biggest city, were quieter than usual and many schoolchildren stayed home. Banks and businesses remained closed in many areas of the city of 13 million people.
In the capital, Abuja, some schools were open. But union members blocked the main road from the airport into the city centre with barricades of tires and tree limbs. Bank workers said by telephone that union members were preventing them from opening their doors to the public.
Posted by Szamko
Just tries to tell the truth.
Statement of the Nigerian Labour Congress
Reasons behind the general strike
This is really impressive stuff.
Globe and mail again Read it fast
Soon to be a dead link
Gas here has gone from 82 to 112 here
Canadians organized into bitching groups and sent Ottawa a discernable collective yawn
Ottawa trotted out the oil company position (the same one from 25 years ago)
Insufficient refining capacity
Note to Ottawa. Build some more
This is particularly wonderful to see because we were thinking that MEND was the only resistance in what we know we know we know is an incredibly exploited economy. But no — turns out there’s massive grass roots solidarity in Nigeria.
Yay!
I love the way the president of Nigeria’s Labour Congress speaks :
RE : “the vexed issue of the price of petrol”.
[The Central Working Committee] sincerely urge(s) Mr. President to demonstrate . . . political will, compassion and statesmanship . . . .
We believe that it is not a sign of weakness for Mr. President to have exercised authority in favour of the people of Nigeria on these matters. Rather, it is a mark of statesmanship and strength for Mr. President to have acted in accordance with the public will and for the public good.
END OF QUOTE
I have no idea how that maps in the context of Nigerian culture — but it sure sounds zorro to moi.