…Shuns court injunction
From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The Organised Labour has ordered its members to withdraw services and shutdown the nation indefinitely beginning from 12:00 AM on Tuesday, November 14.
The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) gave the directive at a joint press conference on Monday, in Abuja.
This is even as the national industrial court on Friday, restrained the two labour centers and their affiliates from embarking on the planned nationwide strike.
TUC president, Festus Osifo who led the briefing, said the government had refused to yield to the Congress’ demands regarding the recent attack and brutalization of President of NLC, Joe Ajaero in Imo State.
Ajaero was attacked in Owerri, Imo State capital, two weeks ago, while leading union members on a strike against alleged abuse of workers’ rights by the state government.
Labour accused the state governor, Hope Uzodinma, of mobilising the thugs and the officers who attacked and arrested the NLC president to frustrate the planned strike in the state.
However, the Imo Police command refuted the allegations, saying that Ajaero was not arrested but was taken into protective custody to avoid being lynched by a mob.
On his part, Uzodinma, who has just been re-elected governor in the state, blamed Ajaero for his alleged partisanship in the state.
Speaking on Monday, Osifo said “The two Labour centers have resolved to stand firmly by the decision of the joint NEC that was held last week Tuesday. That effective, 00:1 hours, on the 14th November we shall declare a nationwide strike.
“So, effective tomorrow, or midnight today, a nationwide strike is going to commence. All affiliates of TUC, all affiliates of NLC, all state councils of the two centers have been mobilized adequately and this is going to be indefinite until governments at all levels, wake up to their responsibilities. This is the decision of the joint NEC of NLC and TUC and we are going to carry out to the latter.
Last Tuesday, Labour threatened to embark on a nationwide industrial action over the recent attack of the NLC president.
It also ordered its members to immediately withdraw services and shutdown Imo state indefinitely.
To suspend the strike, the labour centres are demanding: investigation and deployment of the Commissioner of Police in Imo; sack of the Area Commander of the Police and all other Officers and Men in Owerri through whom the Police Commissioner supervised the the attack; as well as the arrest and immediate prosecution of Mr Nwaneri Chinasa, aid to Uzodinma.
They also asked for an immediate, independent and unbiased thorough professional medical examination of all victims of the attack; immediate restoration of all properties lost and urgent implementation of all the outstanding Industrial Relations agreements previously entered with the state government.
Although, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, last weekend, redeployed Barde for what he tagged “neutrality sake” ahead of the November 11, 2023 governorship election in Imo State.