The leadership of the National Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Commission (TUC) have decided to call off the nationwide strike on Wednesday.
The unions stated that the suspension occurred after the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, intervened.
The meeting, starting a few minutes after 7 pm, extended for nearly an hour. Throughout this time, different affiliates and state chapters assessed the results of the meeting between organized labour leaders and Ribadu.
The organized labour embarked on a protest over the brutalization of its National President, Joe Ajaero, and the failure of the government to implement some of the agreements reached on October 2, 2023, effectively.
However earlier today, the NSA disclosed that the suspects involved in the assault against Ajeoro have been arrested, appealing to the union to suspend the strike.
What NLC said
The NLC has also released a statement on the suspension of the strike.
- “The suspension is intended to facilitate further discussions after the federal government had met our crucial demands to address the distressing abduction and brutalization of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero and others,” the statement reads.
- “An apology was tendered on behalf of the government by the NSA, who promised to coordinate the investigation. Some of the perpetrators have been arrested and we were given High assurances that all others will be fished out and prosecuted.
- “Therefore, all affiliates and State councils of both the NLC and TUC are hereby directed to demobilize, cease any further escalation of the indefinite strike action, and fully resume work tomorrow, Thursday, the 16th of November, 2023.”
Backstory
In reaction to the claimed brutality of Joe Ajaero, President of NLC in Imo state, a nationwide strike was organized.
Ajaero was allegedly taken from the Congress headquarters in Owerri, Imo, by heavily armed police officers.
However, the Imo police command said Ajaero was not arrested but was taken into protective custody to avoid being lynched by a mob.
On November 5, the national industrial court in Owerri, the capital of Imo, issued an order restraining labour unions from embarking on a strike in the state.
Also, the federal government secured an order restraining the unions and their affiliates from embarking on the strike.
Despite the court orders, the labour unions stood their ground and proceeded with the strike.
