Naijahood
The National Assembly in Abuja was closed by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in response to a countrywide industrial protest against the assault on its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero.
The nationwide strike called by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) exhibited varying degrees of compliance across states yesterday. Some states experienced complete shutdowns, affecting banks, public schools, and courts, while others demonstrated only partial compliance or non-compliance.
In states such as Lagos, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi, Kebbi, and Edo, the directives of the labor bodies were widely adhered to, resulting in the closure of various institutions. In Kano, banks and schools were closed, and qualifying examinations were suspended. Osogbo, the Osun State capital, witnessed the shutdown of schools with increased police presence to maintain order.
Imo reported partial compliance as banks operated normally. However, Enugu and Abuja workers ignored the strike, and leaders promised to enforce the strike in the Federal Capital Territory today.
Disagreements arose among the nation’s public universities, with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) supporting the strike, while the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) instructed its members to abstain from the action.
The strike, initiated on November 13, 2023, stemmed from the alleged failure of the Federal Government to address workers’ concerns, including minimum wage, insecurity, corruption, and governance issues. The labor unions also cited outstanding salary arrears, the unjust declaration of ghost employees, unsettled gratuities, non-compliance with the N30,000 minimum wage, and the declaration of ghost retirees.
Despite warnings from the Federal Government, which obtained a restraining order from the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, labor leaders expressed satisfaction with the initial compliance and vowed for increased participation in the coming days.
Key sectors like the Maritime, Food, Beverage and Tobacco, Chemical, Non-metallic Products, and Construction witnessed full compliance with the strike. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) also directed its members to join the industrial action.
Meanwhile, some federal and private sector workers in Abuja and parts of the country continued their duties, defying the strike directives. Lagos experienced the closure of banks and disruptions to train services.
The strike prompted a divergence in academic institutions, with ASUU urging members to participate and CONUA directing its members to abstain.
In response to claims by the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu, Bayo Onanuga, that the strike was a personal matter for NLC President Joe Ajaero, labor leaders refuted the allegations, emphasizing the broader issues affecting workers and the nation.
The NLC denounced Onanuga’s assertion that the strike was an ego trip, stating that it was a necessary response to the government’s failure to address economic challenges and meet the demands of the labor unions. The statement highlighted issues such as inflation, currency devaluation, and fuel price hikes that had negatively impacted Nigerians.
As the strike unfolded, the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria shut down port operations in Lagos, Rivers, Cross River, and Delta states, while freight forwarders called for measures to prevent demurrage charges during the strike. The NLC and TUC expressed confidence in the increasing compliance levels and reiterated their commitment to achieving the workers’ demands.
