The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have jointly issued a directive instructing all workers across Nigeria to cease their services effective from midnight on November 13, 2023. This decision, arising from the Joint National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of NLC and TUC, was communicated through a collaborative statement on Monday, urging workers to initiate the withdrawal of their services at precisely 12:00 midnight on November 13.
The unions emphasized the gravity of the directive, stating, “In furtherance to the decision of the Joint National Executive Council (NEC) of NLC and TUC, all workers in Nigeria are hereby directed to withdraw their services effective 12:00 midnight today, 13th November 2023,” as articulated in their joint statement. Furthermore, they instructed all affiliated bodies and state councils of NLC/TUC to disseminate circulars to ensure maximum compliance. These circulars were expected to be submitted to the national secretariats or posted on the NEC and CWC Whatsapp Platforms.
Despite the unequivocal directive, this action transpired in defiance of a restraining order issued by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria the preceding Friday. The court, under the leadership of Benedict Kanyip, the president, explicitly prohibited the labour unions from initiating their planned strike on Tuesday, November 14, instructing them to cease their industrial action.
This directive had its roots in prior announcements made by the NLC, which had called for a state-wide strike in Imo State, effective November 1. The cause of this industrial action was the perceived “persistent and egregious violations of the rights and privileges of workers” by the state government. Joe Ajaero, the NLC national president, expressed frustration, stating, “Despite our repeated efforts to engage in constructive dialogue and reach amicable agreements, the Imo State Government has become a habitual and serial breaker of these agreements, continuing to trample on the rights of workers in the state.” Consequently, mass protests and industrial actions were deemed the only viable course of action, commencing on November 1, 2023.
Adding to the complexity, earlier in the month, Ajaero and other NLC members were allegedly attacked by thugs and police officers while gathering at the union’s council secretariat ahead of a planned protest in the state.
For More Updates, join our WhatsApp Group and Telegram Channel
