In a significant development, the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have jointly declared a total nationwide strike set to take effect from Tuesday, November 14, 2023. This decision follows an extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja.
The leadership of both unions arrived at this resolution after reviewing various factors during the NEC meeting. The move comes in response to several issues, including the brutalization of the National President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, and the removal of the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), which labor centers argue has caused “untold hardship” to Nigerians.
It’s important to note that the labor unions had previously issued a five-day ultimatum after Joe Ajaero’s arrest by the police in Owerri, Imo State, and had demanded the redeployment of the state’s commissioner of police and the arrest and prosecution of the government aide allegedly involved in the attack.
The unions also threatened to embark on a nationwide industrial action if their demands were not met within the stipulated five days.
The strike decision reflects the unions’ ongoing concerns regarding the treatment of their leaders and the removal of the fuel subsidy, which they assert has negatively impacted the Nigerian populace. This move is expected to have a significant impact on various sectors and is aimed at highlighting the labor unions’ grievances and seeking a resolution with the government.