Labour Declares Total Action Against Imo Govt, Commences Nationwide Strike Nov. 14

The Organised labour on Tuesday evening declared a nationwide strike, scheduled to commence on November 14, 2023, if their demands were not met by the federal and Imo state governments.

The union leaders also declared a “total action” against the Imo State Government, in protest of the arrest and brutalisation of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) president, Joe Ajaero, billed to commence as fromidnightht today (November 7).

Osun Defender had reported that leaders of the NLC and TUC last week Friday, gave the Federal Government a six-point demand, including the immediate removal of the Commissioner of Police, Imo State and Area Commander, among other officials, for their alleged complicity in the brutalisation and humiliation of Comrade Ajaero and other workers.

This was made known at a press briefing after a joint emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the NLC and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) in Abuja.

The union said failure of the federal and Imo state governments to meet their earlier demands will result in a nationwide strike on Tuesday, 14th November.

President of TUC, Comrade Festus Osifo who the strike which is going to commence at midnight today said is a national action that would zero in on Imo state.

He said: “The NEC of all congresses frowned completely at what happened in Imo, it shouldn’t have happened.

“For the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress leading workers to examine, protest the nonpayment of salary of some of the workers in Imo, to protect the declaration of ghost workers when these people actually go to work everyday and several issues that have bedevilled workers in Imo state.

“We went there without guns, a single machete but only to protest. Protest is something that is in the law, It’s a fundamental position that is purely guided by our constitution, that is guided by International Charter, that is guided by the ILO Convention but unfortunately, Hope Uzodinma organised the police and thought to attack the Nigerian worker.

“NEC completely frowns at it and resolves as follows that from midnight today, we are going to carry out a national action that is going to zero in on Imo state. These actions are not limited in any form.

“Then on Tuesday next week there is going to be a total nationwide strike because as at last week, we issued a directive that had some series of actions that were stated therein and none of them as at today have been met, and no attempt whatsoever has been made to address them.”

Also, a communique reached at the end of the joint NEC meeting reads, “Consequently the NLC/TUC NEC-in-session resolved as follows; To Order the immediate withdrawal of services and shutdown of Imo state beginning midnight today. All workers and affiliates are expected to ensure compliance from wherever they are. All flights into and out of Imo state, fuel supplies and Electricity be stopped immediately as applicable. All Public and Private Sector workers are to immediately down tools indefinitely.

“That if our demands are still unmet, workers all over the federation shall join in withdrawing their services by Midnight Tuesday, the 14th of November, 2023

“All State Councils of NLC & TUC and affiliates are by this resolution mandated to ensure full compliance with NEC’s decision.”