Business and economic activities nationwide have been grounded nationwide as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), called out workers to an indefinite strike.
Currently, the country has been thrown into darkness, as the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), has directed its members to commence full mobilisation to ensure compliance with the labour movement directive.
The strike by the organised labour is to protest the assault and brutalization of the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and a host of many others in Owerri, Imo State, on November 1.
Offices, schools, banks, courts have been shut down, with as many as 19 unions have joined the strike. They include:
- Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)
- National Union of Electricity Employees, Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN);
- National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE);
- Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP);
- National Union of Food Beverage and Tobacco Employees;
- Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP);
- Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria;
- Nigeria Union of Railway Workers;
- National Union of Postal and Telecommunication Employees;
- National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT); and,
- Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees.
The labour movement had, on November 7, resolved to declare a nationwide strike by Tuesday, November 14, if their demands were not met.
The unions in a joint statement yesterday, signed by the National Zecretary of the NLC, Emmanuel Ugboaja and the Secretary General of the Trade Union Congress, Nuhu Toro, wrote to all their affiliates to ensure full compliance.
While we shall update you with developments as they unfold, do remain assured of our commitment to Nigerian workers and people.
The letter reads in part, “In furtherance to the decision of the Joint National Executive Council of NLC and TUC, all workers in Nigeria are hereby directed to withdraw their services effective 12 midnight today, November 13, 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 WC Whatsapp platforms.
“While we shall update you with developments as they unfold, do remain assured of our commitment to Nigerian workers and people.”
The TUC President, Festus Osifo, who spoke on behalf of the two labour centres said the strike would remain until “government at all levels wake up to their responsibilities.”
He added that “the two labour centres have resolved to stand firmly by the decision of the joint National Executive Council meeting that was held last week Tuesday, that effective from 12 midnight on the 14th of November, we shall declare a nationwide strike.
However, the strike is being held despite a court order following an ex-parte application by the Federal Government filed through the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi.
The ruling was delivered by its President, Justice Benedict Kanyip.
The court anchored its order on the provision of Sections 17 and 19 of its Act, saying it was within its powers to intervene in the dispute between the labour unions and the government.
