LABOR PROTEST MARCH CONFIRMED FOR MAY 13

UNCLAS ABUJA 000830 SIPDIS DEPT FOR DRL, AF/W PLEASE PASS USTR FOR AGAMA DOL FOR SUDHA HALEY DOC FOR 3317/ITA/OA/KBURRESS TREASURY FOR DAN PETERS BAGHDAD FOR DUNDAS MCCULLOUGH E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV ELAB PREL PHUM ENRG ASEC NI SUBJECT: LABOR PROTEST MARCH CONFIRMED FOR MAY 13 REF: ABUJA 821 ¶1. (U) Post confirmed on May 12 from Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress representatives that they have not canceled their planned protest march in Lagos on May 13. The protest march will begin at 1000 hours at the National Stadium and proceed to the governor's office in Ikeja. The objective of the protest march is to call for action on electoral reform (specifically the Electoral Reform Committee report),to oppose the GON decision to deregulate the downstream petroleum sector, and to demand the implementation of a new minimum wage. NLC and TUC contacts also told Emboffs on May 12 that they expect the march to stop the flow of traffic and other daily routine activities. They also said that they expect no serious violence, but will fight back if attempts are made to prevent the march. The NLC and TUC have plans for other protests in five other cities across the country in the next two months (see reftel). Post will continue to monitor the situation closely and report details septel. ¶2. (U) This cable was coordinated with Consulate Lagos. SANDERS