Labour Orders Shutdown Of Imo, Begins Total Strike Tuesday

Organised labour in the country, consisting of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), has declared a total nationwide strike beginning next week Tuesday, November 14, 2023.

The strike came after the elapsed of the 5-day ultimatum given to the federal government by both labour centres to implement all six-point demands following the assault on the NLC national president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, in Imo State by the Nigeria Police.

The organised labour also ordered the immediate withdrawal of services and shutdown of Imo State beginning midnight today.

The decision which was reached yesterday after the joint National Executive Council (NEC) noted that all workers and affiliates are expected to ensure compliance from wherever they are.

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

According to a communiqué signed by the TUC national president, Comrade Festus Osifo, and the NLC deputy national president, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, the federal government has not met the six-point demands it presented last week as condition to avert the strike.

Among the demands presented are the immediate removal of the commissioner of police, Ahmed Barde, from Imo State, removal of the area commander, arrest and prosecution of the adviser to the state governor on special duties, Nwaneri Chinasa, and other state government officials fingered in the alleged brutalisation of Ajaero and other workers who were humiliated in the assault.

The labour leaders also demanded an immediate, independent and unbiased thorough professional medical examination of Ajaero in light of the physical and psychological injuries inflicted on him.

They also resolved that other workers and journalists who were subjected to the alleged inhuman treatment by the police and Hope Uzodimma’s goons be treated by the state and all the properties lost be restored immediately.

They equally demanded immediate implementation of all the outstanding industrial relations issues as previously agreed with the Imo State government.

The communiqué 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, November 14, 2023.

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