Electricity Tarrif/Fuel Price Hike: Commercial Sex Workers Begin Indefinite Strike

Commercial sex workers in Onitsha, Anambra State, under the aegis of Self-Made Women of Substance, have vowed to embark on indefinite strike over recent hike in the pump price of petrol and increase in electricity tariff.

One of their leaders, identified as Uto Nwanyi, who claimed to be the patron, lamented that the effect of Coronavirus was still biting hard when the recent petrol and electricity tariff hikes was introduced thereby adding salt to injury.

“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,” she said.

Uto Nwanyi, flanked by another colleague, identified simply as Phina, said if concerned authorities did not act fast in bringing the prices down, they would be left with no other option than to mobilise for strike.

“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 per cent. After COVID-19, 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.”