Global trade unions back action against subsidy removal

• Aviation workers vow to shut down airspace 

THE Federal Government may be in for crisis with not only local, but international labour unions over its decision to remove fuel subsidy as the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) based in Athens, Greece has demanded reversal of the decision.

In a letter from WFTU dated January 4, 2012 to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and copied to the aviation unions, the international body lambasted the Federal Government for withdrawing subsidy on fuel.

The letter reads in part: “The World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), on behalf of its 82 million members from 120 countries, denounces the decision of the Nigerian government to end the fuel subsidy for the people which will bring further increase in the petrol price in addition to the existing living conditions of the Nigerian people, the poverty and the high prices for the daily essentials that are already a huge burden for the popular family.

“Nigeria is the biggest oil producer in Sub-Saharan Africa. The wealth-producing resources of the country are exploited by multinationals and monopolies leaving only hunger and poverty to the majority of the population while the capitalists are gaining huge profits.

“The World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) demands that the government of Nigeria immediately take back this anti-labour decision. We express our support to our brothers, the working people of Nigeria and we express our internationalist solidarity to the strikes and their struggles.”

Meanwhile, the aviation unions are gearing up for a showdown with the government in line with the NLC’s decision to slug it out with the authorities over the unpopular removal of the oil subsidy on New Year Day.

Officials of the aviation unions who were at various meetings to strategise for the coming mass protest slated for next week Monday told The Guardian that the strike which will be total will affect flight operations with the total shutdown of the nation’s airspace.

-Nigeria Fuel Subsidy Removal Trend

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By Wole Shadare