Afrigather The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has voiced considerations over what it phrases a “constant sample of intimidation and brutality” towards labor unions by President Tinubu’s administration. This assertion got here by a communique launched following their tenth Emergency Nationwide Govt Committee (NEC) assembly.
Joe Ajaero, President of the NLC, signed the communique, stating aggressive actions and deceit because the present authorities assumed workplace in Might 2023. One of many extra extreme incidents talked about was the latest raid on the NLC headquarters in Abuja, described as a “coordinated assault to silence” the organisation, an important voice for the populace.
Through the assembly, the NEC strongly appealed to the federal government to make sure the security and freedom of Nigerian employees and commerce unions. They emphasised that these teams should function with out concern of hurt or obstruction.
The communique clarified that the NLC had not participated within the latest protests sparked by financial hardships however supported the trigger. It additionally referred to as for the federal government to withdraw safety forces from areas just like the Nationwide Union of Street Transport Staff (NURTW) and Street Transport Employers Affiliation of Nigeria (RTEAN) workplaces, the place they’re mentioned to be stationed unlawfully.
Additional, the NLC dismissed police justifications for the headquarters invasion as insubstantial and demanded a speedy and clear rationalization from the federal government. The union additionally mourned the lack of lives throughout protests, calling for accountability from safety forces and a Nationwide Day of Mourning.
Moreover, the NLC demanded the speedy launch of detained commerce unionists and activists, urging the federal government to desert what it sees as efforts to criminalise protest and suppress dissenting views, notably focusing on these with leftist ideologies.
The union proposed an inclusive conclave to deal with Nigeria’s urgent points immediately poverty, starvation, inflation, insecurity, and common dissatisfaction with authorities insurance policies relatively than persevering with a blame sport.
Lastly, the NLC warned of the transient nature of peace with out justice and has initiated a forensic audit of its nationwide headquarters to make sure its security and suitability for continued use, signalling a short lived cessation of its use to keep away from potential disasters.
