The organized Labour unions comprising of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, commenced the nationwide strike they announced a week ago, with affiliate unions joining the industrial action.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday morning, the NLC shared circulars by the unions, indicating their compliance with the directive.
The unions included the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics, the National Union of Food Beverage and Tobacco Employees, the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees, the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria, the National Union of Electricity Employees, and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics.
The strike comes as a result of the physical assault the NLC National President, Joe Ajaero was subjected to in Imo State two weeks ago when he and other NLC members were in the South-East State for a demonstration over “non-payment of salaries and pensions for 44 months and violation of other labour rights”.
The protest was viewed in some circles as an attempt to scuttle the re-election bid of Governor Hope Uzodimma in last Saturday’s governorship election.
Following Ajaero’s ordeal, the organised labour called for a nationwide strike beginning today.
The National Industrial Court had restrained the unions from embarking on the strike action in the wake of the impasse with the Imo State Government.
In spite of the court order, the unions, in a statement on Monday, directed workers nationwide to withdraw their services at midnight.
The Statement read: “In furtherance to the decision of the Joint National Executive Council, NEC, of NLC and TUC, all workers in Nigeria are hereby directed to withdraw their services effective 12:00 midnight today, 13th November 2023.
“Consequently, all affiliates and State councils of NLC/TUC are directed to issue circulars for maximum compliance and these circulars be made available to the National Secretariats or posted to the NEC and CWC Whatsapp Platforms”.
While assuring members of further updates about the nationwide strike, organised labour urged them to “remain assured of their commitment to Nigerian workers and people”.
Crediblenews.ng
