- Vows To Continue Struggling For Implementation Of New Minimum Wage
- Says Labour Movement Worth Dying For Because Of Patriotism, Commitment
- FG, Striking Doctors Showdown Looms Over ‘No Work, No Pay’ Policy
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero has vowed that he and the union will not be intimidated in their bid to negotiate good welfare for Nigerian workers.
This is even as he averred that the union would not be deterred by any distraction from any quarters, insisting that he is ready to face the implications of the newly agreed N70k minimum wage.
Ajaero spoke on Thursday at the Labour House shortly after returning from the Police Intelligence Response Team, IRT office located at Guzape in Abuja where he was questioned following allegations of terrorism financing and other related offences.
READ ALSO: NLC President Leaves Police Headquarters After Interrogation
The Matrix reports that the NLC leader was invited to answer questions on alleged involvement in terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony.
The NLC president was asked to appear before the force Intelligence Response Team (IRT) on August 20.
But Ajaero declined the invitation, demanding details of the allegations levelled against him.
Later on, Samuel Ogala, principal partner at the Falana & Falana’s Chambers in a letter disclosed that Ajaero said he would be available for questioning on Thursday, August 29.
His invitation by the police drew a lot of reactions, with the labour accusing the police of harassment.
In an emergency meeting it convened after the invitation, the NLC National Executive Council described the allegations against Ajaero as trumped-up and politically motivated to silence organised labour.
High profile individuals, civil societies and global humanitarian organisation, Amnesty International Nigeria have all condemned the police invitation of the labour leader.
However, Ajaero on Thursday, stormed the Force headquarters in the company of Human Rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, Maxwell Opara, Deji Adeyanju amongst others.
He arrived at the IRT office at 10:17 a.m. and left shortly after 11:15 a.m to return to the Labour House.
READ ALSO: Ajaero’s Terrorism Financing Allegation; TUC, CISLAC Kick
Addressing the press at the Labour House, Ajaero described the police invitation as one of the hazards of being a labour leader, recalling how even at unit level he went to cell under late former head of state General Sani Abacha in the 90s.
He stated that the union is set to struggle for the implications of the N70,000 minimum wage recently agreed upon by the federal government.
He said, “What is important is the circumstances that took me to that place and whatever it is we are out to continue the struggle. We have gotten minimum wage which has not been implemented so we have to press for its implementation as soon as possible.
“Every other thing that will make the welfare of Nigeria workers worthwhile, we will be involved in it.
“We will not listen to any distraction. On behalf of the NLC, NAC, NEC and CWC for the level of solidarity they have shown here, I want to say thank you.”
Continuing, Ajaero described the labour movement as the most patriotic organisation in the country, promising that the union won’t compromise its patriotism no matter the challenge it faces.
“The labour movement is worth dying for because of the patriotism and commitment. Labour movement is one of the biggest pan Nigeria organisations, our patriotism from the days of colonial government to even the period of the military is unshakable,” Ajaero said.
“We are more patriotic than any other institution you can think of in this country and we are going to continue to be that. We have gone there and we are back, I just want to confirm to you that as a citizen we have gone there and we are back here.”
Sounding bullish, he added that the union will not be intimidated by external pressures.
“We can’t be intimidated,” he stated emphatically. “The allegations against us are baseless, and we have nothing to hide.”
Reflecting on the challenges faced by labour leaders, Ajaero shared, “You can’t do this job we’re doing without this type of hazard.
“Even at the unit level, some of us experienced it. As far back as 1997/1998 with Femi Falana, we were equally together in the cell during the time of Abacha.
“But whatever the case is, we’re out to continue the struggle. We’ve gotten minimum wage, but we can’t be intimidated. We have to press for its implementation as soon as possible.
“Every other thing that will make the welfare of the Nigerian workers worthwhile, we will be involved in it,” he noted.
“Our resolve is stronger than ever,” he added. “We will continue to champion the cause of workers across the nation, no matter the obstacles.”
Meanwhile, a showdown is looming between the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors’ (NARD) over the decision to embark on a seven-day warning strike, despite pleas by the Federal Government to resolve its concerns and ensure continued industrial harmony.
In a statement by the ministry’s spokesman Ado Bako, the Federal Government evoked the “no work, no pay” policy for the number of days the strike would be observed in line with extant labour laws.
He noted that the measure is not intended to undermine the legitimate concerns of medical professionals but to ensure that essential healthcare services are not unduly disrupted to the detriment of the public.
On Thursday, Bako said over the past months, the ministry, in collaboration with relevant security agencies has been working to rescue Popoola and high-level discussions and coordinated efforts are currently underway.
The statement encouraged all resident doctors to return to the negotiation table so that we can collaboratively find lasting solutions to the challenges facing our healthcare sector.
“In view of this, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare wishes to bring to the notice of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), that in line with extant labour laws, the Federal Government will evoke the “No Work, No Pay” for the number of days the strike was observed.
“This measure is not intended to undermine the legitimate concerns of our medical professionals but to ensure that essential healthcare services are not unduly disrupted to the detriment of the public.
“We encourage all resident doctors to return to the negotiation table so that we can collaboratively find lasting solutions to the challenges facing our healthcare sector. As always, the Ministry remains open to constructive dialogue and is committed to working together with all stakeholders to achieve a fair and sustainable resolution,” the ministry stated.
