By Bimbola Oyesola
Organised Labour has vowed never to back down as the indefinite strike initiated against the non-completion of the National Minimum Wage negotiation exercise and passage into law and the vexatious hike in electricity tariff enters the second day.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)’s President, Joe Ajaero, in his reaction to the management of Transmission Company of Nigeria said: “We will not back down, and we will not give in to any blackmail, intimidation or harassment.”
Ajaero, who said the day one of the strikes was successful, commended Nigerians for their solidarity.
He, however, called on all Nigerians to come out and join the nationwide industrial action as labour moves into the second day of the struggle.
“It is our collective struggle, and together, we can throw off the shackles that have kept us marooned in the cesspit of massive and excruciating suffering.
“Let us meet again at the barricades. We can collectively assist the government to govern our nation better in such a way that the majority benefits from their policies and programmes.”
He noted that the NLC has categorically stated that Nigerian workers would not be intimidated by the management of any organisation or government entity over their rightful decision to withdraw services through the indefinite nationwide strike.
He reasoned that the spreading of outright falsehood to mislead the public instead of working with other stakeholders to resolve the issues raised by Nigerian workers via the NLC and TUC is not helpful in any way.
Rather, the labour leader said it would inflame the anger of the suffering masses, who are already burdened by the cruel policies of the Federal Government.
He said: “It is important that we, therefore, address the statement by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) where they made false claims regarding the indefinite nationwide strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
“The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) should understand that the company is not the only company impacted by the massive withdrawal of service across the nation by Nigerian workers. It should, therefore, not make it a TCN affair as other organisations also suffer one breakdown in service or the other, as a result of the nationwide industrial action.”
Ajaero said it was not true that anybody was manhandled by labour in any TCN location.
“Maybe, TCN in its effort to scuttle the strike, tried to force workers to be at work, not realising the resolve of all workers to stay away.
“Why would the grid not go down when the workers who operate them decide to withdraw their services? That is how it works, and it further demonstrates that without workers, no wheel can turn; no work can take place anywhere.”
He added that Nigerian workers led by the NLC and the TUC have exercised due caution and unusual patience in its engagement with social partners, and this restraint has been grossly abused.
The NLC President said labour has been duly informed that the TCN management has resorted to the use of the military in its effort at intimidating and harassing workers in its employ for carrying out their lawful and democratic duties at various TCN plants around Nigeria.
“We warn that the TCN management would be held liable for any injury inflicted on any worker by their resort to the use of the military powers.
“It is also important that we inform the TCN that deploying military men to its locations is a clear abuse and insult on the military, especially in a democracy,” he said
He maintained that both NLC and TUC remained steadfast in their commitment to the emancipation of downtrodden Nigerians, and would persist in the struggle for a fair and just living wage, as well as the reversal of the excessive electricity tariff hike.
“We call on all Nigerians to stand in solidarity with us as we demand the implementation of policies that prioritise the wellbeing of the people,”he stressed.