NLC, TUC threaten nationwide strike… 

Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have threatened to ground economic activities nationwide from November 14, following the abduction and assault of NLC President, Joe Ajaero, last week.

The congresses have also ordered immediate withdrawal of services and shutdown of Imo State, beginning midnight today.

They urged workers and affiliates to ensure compliance and ordered that all flights into and out of Imo State, fuel and electricity supplies be stopped immediately.

Addressing a joint National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, yesterday, Deputy President of NLC, Adewale Adeyanju, and TUC President, Festus Osifo, said both unions had made demands on government without success.

They said besides the action in Imo, if all demands are not met, workers all over the federation would withdraw their services by midnight of Tuesday, November 14.

During the meeting, the unions discussed the abduction of Ajaero and violence inflicted on him and other workers, who had assembled at the NLC Imo State secretariat.

They alleged that the acts were perpetrated by the Imo State government, under the guidance of the governor and in collaboration with the Nigeria Police.

They said the decision to embark on an industrial action in Imo was purely in keeping with earlier resolution.

According to the unions, the government has repeatedly reneged on agreements, especially the accord reached on January 9, 2021, between government and organised labour.

They alleged that the state owed salary arrears and that some workers have been subjected to 20 months of unpaid salaries, having been unjustly labeled as ‘ghost workers’.