Blackout Looms as NLC, TUC Launch Nationwide Strike

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) have announced a nationwide strike to protest the assault on their president, Joe Ajaero, by police.

The strike, which started at midnight on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, will continue until the government takes action to ensure the safety and welfare of workers in the country.

The decision to embark on the strike was taken by the National Executive Council (NEC) of organised labour, which comprises both the NLC and the TUC. The NEC directed its affiliates, such as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), and others, to comply with the strike order and withdraw their services from all sectors of the economy.

The NEC also issued a letter to its affiliates, which was jointly signed by the National Secretary of the NLC, Emmanuel Ugboaja, and the Secretary General of the TUC, Nuhu Toro.

The letter stated that the strike was necessitated by the failure of the government to address the issues affecting workers, such as the minimum wage, insecurity, corruption, and poor governance.

The letter also expressed solidarity with the labour leader, who was attacked by police in Owerri, Imo State last week.

The letter read, “While we shall update you with developments as they unfold, do remain assured of our commitment to Nigerian workers and people.”

The TUC President, Festus Osifo, also addressed journalists on Monday, November 13, 2023, and said that the strike would remain until “government at all levels wake up to their responsibility.”

He said that the organised labour would not tolerate any form of intimidation or harassment of its members, and demanded that the perpetrators of the attack on Ajaero be brought to justice. He also called on Nigerians to support the strike and join the struggle for a better Nigeria.

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