- Election Threatened As Labour Grounds Activities In Imo, 72 Hours Before Polls
- Nationwide Strike Looms From Next Week
- Labour Flays Blatant Attempt To Impose Favored Candidates On Workers
The face-off between Organised Labour comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) over the alleged brutalization of the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero has taken a turn for the worse.
The Matrix gathered that rising from a Joint National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the two unions held yesterday November 7, 2023, they announced the commencement of an immediate strike in the state.
The unions in a joint statement issued by Comrade Adewale Adeyanju (Deputy President, NLC) and Comrade Festus Osifo (President TUC), the unions ordered the commencement of a strike from midnight Wednesday, November 8, 2023, 72 hours before the governorship poll opens in the state.
Trouble had started when Ajaero was brutally attacked last week in Imo State. Ajaero had arrived in the state to lead a protest against the state government over a deluge of accusations.
Labour disclosed that the decision to embark on an industrial action in Imo state was purely in keeping with its earlier resolution; the Imo state Government under Hope Uzodimma heartlessly continues in its abuse of the rights and privileges of workers in the state by the refusal to Implement Previous Agreements: The Government has repeatedly reneged on agreements, most notably the accord reached on January 9th, 2021, between the Government and Organised Labour.
Owing outstanding Salary Arrears: Shockingly, some workers have been subjected to a staggering 20 months of unpaid salaries under the unfounded label of ‘ghost workers’.
Unjust Declaration of Workers as Ghost Workers: Approximately 11,000 hardworking individuals have been unjustly branded as ghost workers, their salaries diverted even while they diligently carried out their duties.
READ ALSO: NLC, TUC Declare Nationwide Strike Over Attack On Ajaero In Imo
Vandalisation of NLC State Secretariat: The wanton destruction of the NLC State Secretariat is a blatant attack on the rights of workers and a violation of the sanctity of their representative body.
Implementation of Discriminatory Pay: The introduction of discriminatory pay practices and the imposition of apartheid-like policies in determining monthly payments is an affront to fair labour practices.
Unsettled Gratuity Arrears: The Government has failed to address the 8-year backlog of gratuity owed to retirees, showing a grave disregard for the rights of those who have dedicated their careers in service amongst other accusations.
The workers had gathered to peacefully protest these infractions by the Governor at the Secretariat of the NLC in Imo state as guaranteed in accordance with extant labour laws and the Constitution.
All hell was let loose when the Police allegedly supported a group of Imo state Governor’s thugs led by its SA on Special Duties and invaded the premises of the Imo NLC Secretariat and unleashed mayhem on the few workers who had gathered inflicting injuries and stealing and damaging personal effects including various sums.
In the process, the President of the NLC was subsequently subjected to brutalization, blindfolded and abducted by the Police and taken to an unknown destination where he was further subjected to further violations and humiliation.
Consequently, Organised Labour last Friday handed the Federal Government a five-day ultimatum to replace the police commissioner, while also blaming Governor Hope Uzodimma who is seeking re-election of the attack on Ajaero though the governor had since said he had no hand in the attack on the labour leader.
The Organised Labour also demanded the arrest and prosecution of some of the governor’s aide and threatened to embark on a nationwide industrial action if their demands were not carried out.
Reacting swiftly, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Sunday, redeployed Barde for “neutrality’s sake” ahead of the November 11, 2023 governorship election in Imo State.
There is apprehension that if Labour does not have a change of heart, the Gubernatorial election slated for November 11, 2023, in the state may be affected as they disclosed that a nationwide mobilisation of members and allies has begun immediately.
Consequently, the NLC/TUC NEC-in-Session in a communique resolved to “order the immediate withdrawal of services and shutdown of Imo state beginning midnight today. All workers and affiliates are expected to ensure compliance from wherever they are. All flights into and out of Imo state, fuel supplies and Electricity be stopped immediately as applicable. All Public and Private Sector workers are to immediately down tools indefinitely”
Continuing, they added that “if our demands are still unmet, workers all over the federation shall join in withdrawing their services by Midnight Tuesday, the 14th of November, 2023
All State Councils of NLC & TUC and affiliates are by this resolution mandated to ensure full compliance with NEC’s decision” the communique disclosed casting doubts over the conduct of the election in the state.
