Commercial sex workers in Onitsha, Anambra state have threatened to go on indefinite strike over the increase in prices of fuel and electricity tariff.

Uto Nwanyi, who claimed to be the patron of the sex workers under the umbrella of Self-Made Women of Substance, stated that the recent hike in prices of essential commodities came at a time they are yet to recover from the negative effect COVID-19 had on their business.

She said,

“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 member of the association identified as Phina threatened that if the Federal Government fails to bring down the prices of fuel and electricity tariff the association of sex workers will be forced to also review their prices for service rendered.

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 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