The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have decided to suspend the nationwide indefinite strike launched in response to the assault on NLC President Joe Ajaero in Imo State on November 1, 2023.
The strike cessation aims to facilitate further discussions addressing the underlying concerns that led to the protest.
Sources from an emergency joint National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held by the leaders of both labor centers in Abuja disclosed that the suspension resulted from the federal government’s intervention, particularly through the National Security Adviser (NSA) office.
Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser, personally expressed apologies on behalf of the government for the attack and brutalization of NLC President Joe Ajaero during an earlier meeting at Aso Rock. He assured the labor leaders of the arrest of suspects involved in the incident and emphasized the commitment to conduct thorough investigations.
Read also: TCN Dismisses National Blackout Reports Amid Union Strike.
According to an insider from the meeting, “He (NSA) also told us that suspects have been arrested and that detailed investigations would be conducted. We have no reason to doubt his sincerity because without his intervention, probably Comrade Ajaero would have been killed.”
The strike’s suspension comes amid concerns about its impact on the economy and national security. Government representatives highlighted the strike’s adverse effects and committed to preventing further disruptions.
However, labor leaders raised issues regarding the Ministry of Labour’s failure to condemn the incident in Imo State. They criticized the ministry’s lack of action, stating that official communication should not have been a prerequisite for intervention when a request had already been issued.
“We told him that there was no word or statement from the ministry, condemning what happened in Imo when the issues are purely labour issues,” said one of the sources. “He said we did not communicate to him officially and that if we had communicated to him officially, he would have known what to do.”
Read also: Peter Obi Condemns Assault on NLC President in Imo State.
The labor leaders stressed the importance of the right to strike, emphasizing Nigeria’s commitment to International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions. They criticized the National Industrial Court (NIC) for issuing injunctions without proper notice to all parties, asserting that industrial disputes should be resolved through dialogue rather than unilateral legal actions.
“The NIC cannot just issue an injunction any time without putting the other parties on notice,” stated a representative. “Industrial matters are better resolved through dialogue and not through cheap injunctions to blackmail the other party.”
The developments signal a temporary halt to the strike as negotiations and discussions continue between the labor unions and the government to address the underlying grievances and ensure a peaceful resolution to the issues at hand.
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