Strike: NLC, TUC summon ‘extraordinary’ NEC meeting

Nigeria Labor Unions Convene Extraordinary Meeting to Discuss Strike and Injustice

The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress have called for an extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting to address critical issues, as reported by the National Vice-President of the TUC, Tommy Etim. The purpose of this meeting is to review the planned strike, particularly in the wake of the alleged brutalization of the National President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero. The unions also plan to evaluate the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with the Federal Government on October 2, 2023. This MOU was established following the removal of the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), which the labor centers assert has caused significant hardship to Nigerians.

Tommy Etim explained, “We will be holding an extraordinary NEC meeting any moment from now. The modalities include the injustice meted upon Comrade Ajaero, the planned strike, and the MOU signed with the Federal Government. More details will be revealed after the meeting.”

The organized labor, consisting of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, had earlier issued a five-day ultimatum after the arrest of Joe Ajaero, the National President of the NLC, by the police in Owerri, Imo State. The labor centers demanded the redeployment of the state’s commissioner of police and the arrest and prosecution of a government aide alleged to have been involved in the attack on Ajaero. They further threatened to initiate a nationwide industrial action if their demands were not met within the stipulated five-day period.

Ajaero’s arrest took place ahead of a state-wide protest in Imo, although the police maintained that it was done to prevent a mob attack and not as an arrest. Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma accused the labor leader of interfering in the state’s political affairs.

The incident involving the assault on Joe Ajaero has garnered condemnation from various prominent figures in Nigeria, including Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labor Party in the 2023 elections, and human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN).