JUST-IN: Labour Begins Nationwide Strike To Protest Assault On Ajaero Nov 14

The organised Labour, consisting of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), have declared a total nationwide strike beginning next week Tuesday, November 14, 2023.

The strike follows the expiration of the five-day ultimatum earlier given to the federal government by both labour centres on Friday last week to implement a six-pont demand following the assault on the NLC national president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, allegedly by Policemen in Owerri, Imo State.

The organised Labour also ordered the immediate withdrawal of services and shutdown of Imo State beginning midnight this Tuesday.

The decision, which was reached on Tuesday after a joint National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, noted that all workers and affiliates were expected to ensure compliance from wherever they are.

In Imo State, all flights into and out of the State, fuel supplies and electricity are expected to stop immediately as applicable with both public and private sector workers to down tools indefinitely.

According to the communique signed by the TUC national president, Comrade Festus Osifo, and the NLC deputy national president, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, the Labour Centres said the federal government has not met the six-pont demand it presented last week as condition to avert the strike.

The communique reads, “The continued prevalence of the use of violence and impunity in negotiating rights and interests within the nation’s socioeconomic space against all known dictates of democracy and social dialogue.

“Consequently, the NLC/TUC NEC-in-Session resolved to order the immediate withdrawal of services and shutdown of Imo state beginning midnight today.

“All workers and affiliates are expected to ensure compliance from wherever they are. All flights into and out of Imo state, fuel supplies and Electricity be stopped immediately as applicable. All Public and Private Sector workers are to immediately down tools indefinitely”.

“That if our demands are still unmet, workers all over the federation shall join in withdrawing their services by Midnight Tuesday, the 14th of November, 2023.

“All State Councils of NLC & TUC and affiliates are by this resolution mandated to ensure full compliance with NEC’s decision,” it added.