Train Services Suspended Nationwide As Railway Workers Join NLC, TUC Strike

Train services have been suspended across the country in compliance with the nationwide strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).

KanyiDaily recalls that the NLC and TUC had ordered a nationwide strike on Monday midnight, November 13, due to the assault and mistreatment of NLC President Joe Ajaero in Owerri, Imo State, on November 1, along with other unresolved labor-related concerns.

Despite a restraining order issued by the national industrial court in Owerri and the federal government’s order prohibiting the unions from striking, the labour unions stated that the strike would persist until “government at all levels wake up to their responsibilities.”

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria [NAN), the secretary-general of the Nigeria Union of Railway Workers, Segun Esan confirmed the association’s involvement in the strike, emphasizing that “no train was running as a result”.

Esan confirmed that all workers of the Nigerian railway were instructed to stay at home in adherence to the union’s decision to join the NLC and TUC strike.

“In effect, therefore, 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,” NAN quoted Esan as saying.

He also said 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”.

KanyiDaily recalls that many unions including the National Union of Electricity Employees, the National Union of Banks, and others joined the NLC TUC strike.