Affiliate unions are now part of the nationwide strike initiated today by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC). The NLC has shared union circulars on Twitter, confirming their adherence to the strike rules on Tuesday morning.
The ongoing strike has seen the active participation of several unions, including the National Union of Food Beverage and Tobacco Employees, the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN), the National Union of Electricity Employees, the Nigeria Union of Railway Workers, and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP).
Additionally, other participating unions encompass the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE), the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, and the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP).
This collective action follows the recent physical assault on NLC National President Joe Ajaero in Imo State. The assault occurred two weeks ago during a demonstration in the South-East state, where Ajaero and other NLC members protested the “non-payment of salaries and pensions for 44 months and violation of other labor rights.” This demonstration, perceived by some as an attempt to undermine the re-election bid of Governor Hope Uzodimma in the recent governorship election, has contributed to the momentum of the ongoing strike.
After Ajaero’s incident, the organized labor initiated a nationwide strike scheduled to commence today. Nevertheless, the National Industrial Court (NIC) issued a restraint, preventing them from proceeding with the strike action amidst the ongoing deadlock with the Imo State Government.
Despite the court order, the unions, in a statement issued on Monday, instructed workers nationwide to cease their services starting at midnight.
“In alignment with the resolution of the Joint National Executive Council (NEC) of NLC and TUC, all workers in Nigeria are hereby instructed to discontinue their services effective from midnight today, the 13th of November 2023,” announced the unions in a joint statement.
“As a result, all affiliates and state councils of NLC/TUC are tasked with disseminating circulars to ensure maximum compliance, with these circulars made available to the National Secretariats or posted on the NEC and CWC Whatsapp Platforms.”
While ensuring members of ongoing updates regarding the nationwide strike, the organized labor reassured them of their steadfast commitment to the welfare of Nigerian workers and the people.
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