In response to a series of grievances, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) have jointly declared a nationwide strike set to commence on Tuesday, November 14, 2023. This decision was reached after an extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday.
The main trigger for this strike was the reported brutalization of NLC National President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, in Imo State, which led to widespread outrage within the organized labor community. The incident was attributed to the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Mohammed Barde, which prompted the Organized Labour to give the Federal Government a five-day ultimatum to replace the police commissioner.
The Organized Labour also demanded the arrest and prosecution of some of the governor’s aides, blaming Governor Hope Uzodimma for the attack on Ajaero. Governor Uzodimma, however, denied any involvement in the incident.
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, subsequently redeployed Commissioner Barde ahead of the November 11, 2023 governorship election in Imo State.
In a communique issued after the NEC meeting, the NLC and TUC outlined a series of grievances against the Imo State government, including:
1. Refusal to Implement Previous Agreements: The government repeatedly reneged on agreements, particularly an accord reached on January 9th, 2021.
2. Outstanding Salary Arrears: Some workers have gone unpaid for up to 20 months.
3. Unjust Declaration of Workers as Ghost Workers: Approximately 11,000 workers were labeled as ghost workers, leading to the diversion of their salaries.
4. Vandalization of NLC State Secretariat: The destruction of the NLC State Secretariat was condemned as an attack on workers’ rights.
5. Implementation of Discriminatory Pay: Discriminatory pay practices and apartheid-like policies were criticized.
6. Unsettled Gratuity Arrears: The government failed to address an 8-year backlog of gratuity owed to retirees.
7. Non-compliance with National Minimum Wage: The government consistently failed to implement the N30,000 National Minimum Wage.
8. Intimidation and Harassment of Trade Union Leaders: The government’s actions against trade union leaders were deemed an assault on workers’ representation rights.
9. Use of Violence and Thuggery: The deployment of thugs and violence against workers and their leaders was criticized.
10. Misappropriation of Union Dues: Union dues were illegally impounded and diverted.
11. Declaration of Pensioners as Ghosts: Around 10,000 pensioners were wrongly labeled as ghost pensioners, resulting in over 22 months of unpaid pensions.
12. Systematic Harassment and Intimidation of Workforce: Workers faced threats of violence and sack, creating a climate of fear.
13. Resistance to Social Dialogue and Collective Bargaining: The government resisted using the instruments of social dialogue and collective bargaining.
14. Interference with Workers’ Democratic Processes: The interference and disruption of the Imo State Delegates’ Conference was seen as an attempt to impose favored candidates on workers.
As a result of these grievances, the NEC meeting resolved to initiate a strike in Imo State immediately, with all workers and affiliates expected to comply. The strike will lead to the withdrawal of services, shutdowns, and cessation of flights, fuel supplies, and electricity in Imo State. If the demands are not met, workers across the country will join the strike by midnight on November 14, 2023.
The joint action underscores the resolve of the NLC and TUC to seek redress for the perceived injustices and abuse of workers’ rights. All State Councils of NLC and TUC and their affiliates have been mandated to ensure full compliance with the NEC’s decision.
Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, Deputy President of NLC, and Comrade Festus Osifo, President of TUC, are leading the labor unions in this nationwide strike effort.