The Joint Action Front, JAF, declares its support for the resolve by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to continue the struggle, with a two-day warning strike, that commences today September 5th partly for the failure by the Federal Government to reach agreement with organised labour on the wicked hike in the price of petrol and which have aggravated the socio-economic hardships in the country.

JAF also support the demand for an immediate end to the attacks on democratic rights of members of NURTW and workers in Imo and Abia states to independently determine their leadership without government interference.

It equally applauds the decision of the NLC NEC for its resolution to totally shut down the country by embarking on an indefinite nationwide General Strike, should the Federal Government fail, in the next 14 or 21days to address the excruciating and deplorable state of untold hardships.

It however urge the NLC to desist from preoccupying itself with the so-called palliatives but rather, propose that they should fight for concrete demands such as the reversal of petrol prices to N195, building of public refineries, reversal of the recent hikes in fees at different higher institutions and a new decent minimum wage.

According to a statement, it also importantly, the next strike should not be a sit-at-home action but include different mass activities including nationwide protest march, together with an effective preparation and adequate mass mobilisation at workplaces, communities, schools and markets.

JAF reaffirms its position that: “at the moment, millions of workers and poor Nigerians are finding it hard to go out daily to earn their living”. And we had warned that the challenge of the working class to struggle in Nigeria, should go beyond negotiating for palliatives, because such ephemeral and adhoc measures, have in the past three decades, shown abysmal failure to cushion the effect of the criminal hike and the so-called subsidy removal.

It salute the commitment of the NLC in this proactive warning strike, to stand firm with its long standing tradition of principled struggle, by its commendable position of boycotting henceforth, “the rituals of fruitless meetings” with an irresponsible and insensitive regime, that is intoxicated on forcing its imposed neoliberal policies of hardship and repressive measures on the masses of our exploited and oppressed people!

JAF urges Nigerians to give their total support to the NLC to stand firm on principles at all time and avoid hurriedly packaged and deceptive measures that are usually presented at so-called Negotiation table, which are in most cases, turned out to be deceptive arrangement, intended to buy time for introduction of additional suffering measures and impositions.

The group urged the NLC to advance the demand for public ownership of the oil and gas sector under democratic workers’ control and democratic management! We want to once more urge the NLC never to surrender to the regime of IMF-World Bank destructive policies.

JAF urges Nigerians to prepare for the indefinite strike that should commence without further notice at the expiration of the ultimatum already declared by the NLC. Therefore, we call on artisans, traders, community people and youth activists, professionals, organised women groups, etc, to join forces with organised Labour to organise and resist any attack against the interest, living conditions and means of livelihood of the working people and oppressed masses.

JAF reiterate its consistent call on workers, artisans, traders and youth to join in the struggle for a System Change which means an END to the unjust system of capitalism in order to bring forth a new POLITICAL and ECONOMIC ORDER under a JUST SYSTEM.

It maintain that it is only a JUST SYSTEM that can ensure the wealth of the country is judiciously used to benefit the majority working population (formal and informal sectors) and the oppressed poor.

This is contained in a statement by its Chairperson, Dr Dipo Fashina, Secretary Comrade Abiodun Aremu.