Commercial sexworkers threaten strike over electricity, fuel price hike, vow to increase service charge

Following the recent hike in the pump price of petrol and increase in electricity tariff, commerical sex workers in Onitsha, the capital of Anambra state under the platform of Self-Made Women of Substance have threatened to embark on indefinite strike.

Uto Nwanyi, one of the leaders of the platform who claimed to be the patron said the recent hikes came when they are yet to recover from the effects of coronavirus.

“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,” Uto Nwanyi lamented.

“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 the Federal Government fails 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.” she added.