NLC, TUC Suspend Nationwide Strike After Meeting With FG

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have decided to suspend the nationwide strike initiated in protest against the brutalization of NLC President, Joe Ajaero, in Imo State on November 1, 2023.

A source from the emergency joint meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the two labor centers in Abuja last night stated that the suspension of the strike is intended to open the door for further discussions on the issues that led to the initiation of the strike.

The source explained that the strike was suspended due to the federal government’s involvement, facilitated through the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).

At an earlier meeting held in Aso Rock, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, personally extended an apology on behalf of the government for the assault and brutalization of NLC President, Joe Ajaero.

A source at the meeting said: “He (NSA) also told us that suspects have been arrested and that detailed investigations would be conducted. We have no reason to doubt his sincerity because without his intervention, probably Comrade Ajaero would have been killed.“

He reassured us that any future acts of violence and misconduct would not be tolerated. The government was feeling the impact of the strike, particularly on Wednesday, which proved more effective than Tuesday. There were indications that the following day (today) would see an even greater impact as more unions joined the protest.

“So, they (government) did not want it to continue because like they said, it is worsening the already fragile economy, among others, and national security.

“On our part, we faulted the labor minister who was in attendance, alongside the minister of state for labor, for not apprehending the strike. We made him understand that if he had intervened, probably we would not have gotten to this stage.

“We told him that there was no word or statement from the ministry, condemning what happened in Imo when the issues are purely labor issues.

“He said we did not communicate to him officially and that if we had communicated to him officially, he would have known what to do.“

“But we told him that once an ultimatum has been issued, it is his responsibility to apprehend the strike because the issues are industrial relations matters.

“Again, by this strike, we have made the point that our right to strike cannot be denied. The National Industrial Court, NIC, cannot be a cover for the government to perpetuate all kinds of impunity and lawlessness. Nigeria is a signatory to the International Labour Organization, ILO, conventions, and the right to strike is core.

“The NIC cannot just issue an injunction at any time without putting the other parties on notice. We have made that point. Industrial matters are better resolved through dialogue and not through cheap injunctions to blackmail the other party. The NIC ought to have advised the government to dialogue instead of dishing out injunctions that tend to ridicule it.”

Emerging from the meeting, the President of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, Festus Osifo who spoke on behalf of labor, said: “We came here for a discussion. The NSA invited us in furtherance of a press release he issued disclosing that some persons have been arrested in connection with the brutality meted out on the NLC President.

“At the end of the day, he made several promises of what they were going to do and several appeals for the strike to be called off.

“We had a robust conversation and we told him our side of the issue. The strike was caused by something and the strike is a symptom of the problem. Every conversation we have had, we are taking back to our organs.

“The NSA promised to coordinate all the steps and issues involved. We will go back, and reappraise the conversations we have had, with all the assurances they have given us, before coming out with a decision.

On his part, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Mr Simon Lalong, said that discussions between labor and government representatives were productive and open.

“It is an ongoing discussion. We have not received any commitment on when the strike will be called off, we have appealed to them. We don’t expect the strike to take a long time.”

However, the NLC’s national leadership outlined six conditions that must be fulfilled before considering the suspension of the strike.

NLC, in a post on its official X handle, also known as Twitter outlined conditions for suspension, including the arrest and prosecution of Chinasa Nwaneri, Special Adviser to the Imo governor on special duties, who allegedly led the attack on the NLC president and other workers. They also demanded the arrest, prosecution, and dismissal of all police officers and thugs involved in the assault on the labor leader.

Other demands entail the arrest, prosecution, and dismissal of the chief security officer in the Imo State Government House, identified as SP Shaba.

“He led, participated, and provided cover for thugs to brutalize workers in Imo State,” the NLC alleged.

The union further insisted on the arrest, prosecution, and dismissal of an unnamed police area commander who allegedly supervised the brutalization of the NLC president and other workers in the state. Additionally, they called for an investigation and prosecution of Ahmed Barde, the former Commissioner of Police in Imo State, for his alleged role in the assault on the NLC chief.

“Our demands are simple. We want justice,” NLC stated.”

Kanyi Daily recalls that the Bola Tinubu-led government had called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to abandon their ongoing nationwide strike.