Labour begins nationwide strike today, ignores court order

Labour begins nationwide strike today, ignores court order

 

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) say there is no going back on their scheduled nationwide workers strike starting today (Tuesday).
They have thus ignored a subsisting court order halting the industrial action. They directed all government workers to withdraw their services from today.
TUC President, Festus Osifo, while addressing journalists in Abuja on Monday, said the strike would remain until “government at all levels wakes up to their responsibility.”
The strike is to protest the physical assault on the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and some executives of the NLC in Owerri, Imo State, on November 1, as well as the pending labour issues in Imo.
Ajaero was arrested by the police ahead of the protest in Imo.
The police however denied arresting Ajaero, stating that he was merely taken into protective custody to prevent a mob attack.

Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma, accused the labour leader of meddling in the political affairs of the state.
Osifo listed their demands: “We demanded that the Area Commander that led the police to carry out the brutalisation be relieved of his duties and prosecuted.

“We also asked that Governor Uzodimma’s aide on Special Duties, Chinasa Nwaneri, who led the touts should be arrested and prosecuted.

“We gave an ultimatum that initially expired Wednesday last week, but on the eve of that expiration, we had a joint session of the NLC and TUC and gave an additional one week to see if the government will be responsive.

“But instead of the government coming out strongly to condemn this criminality and stand on the side of justice, some people in government were running their mouths and making all kinds of statements.”

Nigerian Railway Workers join strike

The Nigeria Union of Railway Workers (NUR), in a statement by its Secretary-General, Segun Esan, said the members were duty-bound to join the nationwide strike.
He urged the NRC management and its security apparatus to secure and protect all fixed and movable assets of the Corporation during the strike.
The statement said, “All the workers of Nigerian Railway are duty-bound to join the nationwide strike action from zero-zero hour of Tuesday, 14th November, 2023 by staying back at home and away from their offices while the NRC management and its security apparati are enjoined to resume the spotlight to lock, secure and protect all the fixed and movable assets of the Corporation while the strike action lasts.
“All the offices, stations, workshops, and entire premises of the Corporation remain locked and inaccessible from zero-zero hour of Tuesday, 14th November, 2023 till otherwise directed by the Congress.
“This is a critical moment that we all must rise in strong and indivisible unison to salvage the credibility and integrity of the Nigerian workers who have for long been seized in the jugular by the state and its coercive instruments.”