The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have jointly directed all workers in Nigeria to cease their services from midnight today, November 13, 2023. This decision, reached during a Joint National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, was communicated through a joint statement on Monday. The unions have urged workers to actively participate in the strike action, which is set to commence at 12:00 midnight on November 13.
The NLC and TUC have further instructed all affiliates and state councils to issue circulars, ensuring maximum compliance with the strike. These circulars should be made available to the national secretariats or posted to the NEC and CWC WhatsApp platforms. Despite a restraining order issued by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, which prohibited the labor unions from initiating their planned strike on November 14, the unions have chosen to proceed with the industrial action.
Earlier, the NLC had announced a state-wide strike in Imo State starting November 1, citing persistent violations of workers’ rights and privileges by the state government. Joe Ajaero, NLC national president, expressed disappointment in the government’s repeated disregard for amicable agreements, leading to the necessity of mass protests and industrial actions. Ajaero emphasized the unions’ commitment to Nigerian workers and people.
It is worth noting that earlier this month, Ajaero and other NLC members were allegedly assaulted by thugs and police officers while gathering at the union’s council secretariat for a planned protest in the state. As developments unfold, the NLC and TUC will continue to keep workers informed.
