Commercial Sex Workers Issue Statement, Threaten To Go On Strike

Commercial sex workers in Onitsha, Anambra State, under the aegis of Self-Made Women of Substance, have threatened they they would Commence an indefinite strike if care is not taken.

According to them, they are protesting the sudden recent hike in the pump price of petrol and increase in electricity tariff.

Speaking on the protest, one of their leaders, Uto Nwanyi, who said she is a patron, explained that they hadn’t yet recovered from the effect of coronavirus when the hike came.

“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.

A colleague of Nwanyi, Phina threatened that if the Federal Government does not come to their aid immediately, they would Commence the nationwide 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 ₦1,500 for short-time and ₦5,000 for day break, but with this development, we shall also review our service charge.” she added.