Victor EzejaThe Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have resolved to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, 14 November.
This was announced at a joint press conference of the Labour unions on Monday.
Addressing newsmen, after a joint National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of NLC and TUC, the TUC President, Festus Osifo, said the nationwide industrial action was because of government’s failure to respond to its demand for justice on the recent incident in which the NLC President, Joe Ajero, was brutalised during a peaceful protest in Imo State.
Osifo said the organised labour had issued an ultimatum for government to fish out the culprits and prosecute them failure to which they would embark on strike, but until now, nothing has been done about it.
Prime Business Africa reports that during a peaceful protest in Owerri, Imo State capital on November 1 over issues regarding the welfare of workers the NLC President was manhandled by men who disrupted the exercise.
NLC accused the police of being responsible for the attack which left Ajero physically bruised. However, the police denied, saying it only him into”protective custody.”
The labour unions had subsequently shutdown activities in Imo State over the incident and threatened to go on nationwide strike from 14 November if nothing is done to bring the perpetrators to book.
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Osifo in his address on behalf of the joint labour unions on Monday, said all affiliates of NLC and TUC and state councils have adequately mobilised to embark indefinite on nationwide strike.
He said: “This is good to be indefinite until government at all levels wake up to their responsibility. This is the decision of a joint NEC of NLC and TUC.”
A circular signed by the NLC General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, and TUC Secretary General, Nuhu Toro, addressed to all NLC/TUC affiliates and state councils, directed all workers in Nigeria to withdraw their sevice from 12 midnight.
The circular reads: “In furtherance to the decision of the Joint National Executive Council (NEC) of NLC and TUC, all workers in Nigeria are hereby directed to withdraw their services effective 12:00 midnight today, 13th November 2023.
“Consequently, all affiliates and state councils of NLC/TUC are directed to issue circulars for maximum compliance and these circulars be made available to the National Secretariats or posted to the NEC and CWC Whatsapp Platforms.”
The nationwide shutdown will no doubt ground socioeconomic activities if not urgently addressed.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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