Nigerian workers embark on strike, as electricity workers join forces to put country in darkness
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have declared strike across the country, following the brutalisation of its national President, Joe Ajaero, in Imo State on 1 November, 2023
Penpushing reports that it is recalled that Ajaero was attacked in Owerri, the state capital, during an Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) protest against the Imo State government over alleged maltreatment of workers in the state.
The unions, however, on Monday directed their members to down tools across the country as from Tuesday, and this is despite the restraining order issued by the National Industrial Court, in Abuja, on Friday, stopping the labour unions from embarking on the strike.
Penpushing further reports that the judge, Justice Benedict Kanyip,it is recalled had ordered the two major labour unions to stop their industrial action scheduled to commence on 14 November., 2023, while the interim order followed an ex-parte request by the Nigerian government through the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, due to the Labour unions’ threat to embark on strike.
The Presidency in reaction to the development described the strike embarked by the workers as illegal and unwarranted act, describing the Nigerian Labour Congress(NLC) as a blackmail of the government, and on Monday the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation advised the unions against the strike.
Penpushing also reports that the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation asked members of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) to respect the subsisting court order, which it said had been served on them.
The statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in similar vein said the government was still at a loss as to why labour would punish a whole country of over 200 million people over a personal matter involving the union President.
Penpushing reports that National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) have urged its members to totally withdraw its services if the government refused to address the issues raised from the shortfall of the atrocious event in Imo State.
‘With reference to the NLC NEC meeting of today: 13th November 2023 and the joint communique from NLC and TUC dated 7 November 2023 on nationwide withdrawal of service on 14th November 2023 if the government refused to address the issues raised from the shortfall of the atrocious event in Imo State on the 1st of November 2023, we affirm that the nationwide strike will commence as stipulated on Tuesday 14th November 2023’, the notice said.
‘To this effect, all National, State and Chapter executives are requested to start the mobilization of our members in total compliance with this directive. Please note that withdrawal of Services nationwide commences from 0.00 hours of Tuesday, November 14, 2023. Please ensure total compliance’, the notice added.
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