The indefinite nationwide strike embarked upon by members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) over the recent brutalization of NLC president, Joe Ajaero, was suspended on Wednesday night following the intervention of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, and other government officials.
The suspension of the two-day strike came after the National Executive Council (NEC) of the NLC and TUC met with their affiliates and state chapters and reviewed their meeting with the government. Members of the NLC and TUC had on November 14 embarked on a nationwide strike to protest the assault on the NLC president in Imo State on November 1. They had also vowed to continue with the strike until government addressed their demands.
During the two days the strike lasted, the economy was almost brought to a halt while the entire nation was partially shut down. While the first day of the strike witnessed partial compliance in some states, the second day saw total compliance. Government offices, courts, the National Assembly (NASS), banks and other establishments were shut in many states. Students in public schools were sent home, while members of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) offered symbolic solidarity with organsised labour. In Lagos, members of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) paralysed economic activities at Apapa and Tincan Island ports on Tuesday in line with the strike.
Despite the order from the National Industrial Court (NIC) restraining the two labour unions and their affiliates from embarking on the nationwide strike, it went on. The TUC president, Festus Osifo, had in a media briefing before the strike disclosed that the government had refused to yield to their demands over the recent attack and brutalization of Ajaero, in Owerri, Imo State. Ajaero was assaulted by people suspected to be government’s agents and some security operatives in Owerri while leading union members on a protest over alleged abuse of workers’ rights by the state government.
We commend organized labour and the government for the truce and suspension of the strike. The continuation of the strike would, no doubt, hurt the economy and millions of Nigerians who go out every day to eke out a living. However, the federal government should reciprocate labour’s good gesture by acceding to their demands.
This government should not renege on the agreements reached with organized labour. Even though governments in this part of the world have been notorious in not honouring agreements reached with workers, we urge the present administration to be different from the one before it. Labour leaders should not be seen as enemies of government, they should rather be seen as partners in the development of the country.
The organized labour is very optimistic that the federal government will not renege on the agreements reached with them this time around. According to the TUC national vice president, Tommy Okon, “We trust the National Security Adviser that he will do the needful and meet all the promises made. We are sure that the NSA is not playing politics. He is genuine in finding solutions to all the issues we highlighted. Therefore, we want to give the government the benefit of the doubt by suspending the strike.”
Apart from meeting the demands of Nigerian workers, government should quickly address the socio-economic challenges facing millions of Nigerians who are daily being pushed into abject poverty and misery. Let the government check the rising cost of food items and other goods arising from the recent removal of fuel subsidy and other bad policies of the present administration.
At the same time, the government must bring to justice those behind the attack and brutalization of Ajaero. The attackers of Ajaero must be apprehended, prosecuted and punished. Without diligently prosecuting and giving them the necessary punishment, other Nigerians will be emboldened to toe their evil path. No Nigerian citizen should be brutalized for expressing his opinion or for embarking on a workers’ protest.
The law enforcement agents should respect the rights of Nigerians, including labour leaders, to agitate for their welfare. The federal and state governments should strive to ensure the welfare of all Nigerians. That is essentially the primary function of government.