The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to stop shifting blame, reverse its hardship-inducing policies, and engage in genuine dialogue with relevant stakeholders.
In a communique issued at the end of an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held over the weekend, the NLC accused the current administration of harassing and intimidating labor leaders, pointing to a recent invasion of its headquarters as a deliberate attempt to provoke the labor movement.
Signed by NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero, the communique emphasized the Congress’s commitment to defending the rights and welfare of Nigerian workers. It stated, “The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) convened an emergency meeting on Saturday, August 10, 2024, to address the invasion of the NLC National headquarters by security forces of the federal government.”
The communique expressed deep concern over the government’s actions, noting that the invasion occurred shortly after a previous NEC meeting focused on workers’ welfare amid the #EndBadGovernance protests. The NEC condemned the invasion as a serious threat to the safety and security of Nigerian workers and a violation of trade union rights as enshrined in international conventions and the Nigerian Constitution.
The NLC criticized the administration for its pattern of intimidation and violence since taking office, citing the removal of subsidies and subsequent threats, propaganda, and unfulfilled promises as part of a broader trend of systemic oppression. It highlighted violent incidents, including the abduction and assault of NLC leaders, and criticized the use of legal injunctions, military force, and police intimidation against peaceful protests.
The NEC denounced the police’s explanation for the invasion as inadequate and demanded a clearer explanation from the government. It also called for the immediate release of detainees and trade unionists arrested during the protests, and condemned the violence against protesters, urging the government to declare a National Day of Mourning for those affected.
Additionally, the NLC condemned attempts to frame innocent citizens on false charges and criticized the administration’s crackdown on dissenting ideologies. It urged the government to convene an inclusive stakeholders’ dialogue to address core issues like hunger, poverty, inflation, and insecurity, and warned that peace without justice is fleeting and unsustainable.
The NEC also called for the President to address issues of waste and mismanagement, urging a holistic policy overhaul to promote national unity. It demanded an apology from the police and federal government for the invasion and announced plans for a forensic security audit of its headquarters to ensure its safety. The NEC directed the leadership to hold a press conference to address these issues and temporarily suspend the use of the headquarters until the audit is completed.