Commercial sex workers in Onitsha have threatened to go on an indefinite strike if the Federal Government does not address some of the harsh conditions confronting Nigerians.
Speaking under the aegis of Self-Made Women of Substance, the women said they are protesting the sudden hike in pump price of fuel as well as electricity tariff.
One of the co-ordinators of the group, Uto Nwanyi who also describes herself as one of its patrons insists that it was insensitive of the government to hike the two commodities while the populace is still reeling from the economic impact of #COVID19.
According to Nwanyi, “the issue of coronavirus started in March this year and lasted for four months.
“Throughout the period, our members went out of business; no patronage of any kind; none of our members was able to meet up with personal needs.
“When we were yet to recover from the coronavirus, the Federal Government came up with their pump price increment. Electricity companies also came up with tariff hike. This led to increase in house rent, transportation and general cost of living.
“The situation bites us more than it affects any other group in Nigeria. Therefore, we are of the opinion that the situation be reversed within seven days.”
Another leader of the group, Phina threatened that if the Federal Government does not come to their aid and reverse the hikes, they would be left with no option than to begin the indefinite nationwide strike.
In her words, “if that is not done, we shall mobilise our members for indefinite strike from October 1.
“If our strike fails to achieve its purpose, we shall go back to work and increase service charge to as much as 200%.
Phina added that “after COVID19, we reduced our service charge to N1,500 for short-time and N5,000 for day-break but with this development, we shall also review our service charge.”
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