Workers’ Rights Violation: NLC Gears Up For Mass Protests In Imo

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said it would begin protest in Imo State from November 1 over alleged violation and abuse of rights and privileges of workers by the State government. Mr Joe Ajaero, NLC President said this at a news conference on Sunday in Abuja. Ajaero said that “NLC was deeply concerned about the persistent and egregious violations of the rights and privileges of workers in Imo State by the State Government.” “Despite our repeated efforts to engage in constructive dialogue and reach amicable agreements, the Imo State Government has become a habitual and serial breaker of these agreements, continuing to trample on the rights of workers in the state. “As a result, we are left with no choice but to embark on mass protests and industrial actions beginning on the 1st day of November, 2023. “This is to demonstrate our outrage and stop the continuing violation of the rights and privileges of workers in the state,” he said. The NLC president said the protest was imperative as the government of the state had refused to implement previous agreements. According to him, the government has repeatedly reneged on agreements, most notably the accord reached on January 9th, 2021, between the Government and Organised Labour. “On outstanding salary arrears, shockingly, some workers have been subjected to a staggering 20 months of unpaid salaries under the unfounded label of ‘ghost workers’. “Unjust declaration of workers as ghost workers,. Approximately 11,000 hardworking individuals have been unjustly branded as ghost workers, their salaries diverted even while they diligently carried out their duties,”he said. On vandalisation of NLC State Secretariat, he noted that the wanton destruction of the NLC State Secretariat was a blatant attacked on the rights of workers and a violation of the sanctity of their representative body. The NLC president said others were implementation of discriminatory pay introduction of discriminatory pay, unsettled gratuity arrears, non-compliance with National Minimum Wage, among others. “Nigeria Labour Congress calls on all stakeholders, including civil society organizations, to stand in solidarity with the workers of Imo State in the face of these egregious violations. “We implore the Imo State Government to honor its obligations and recommit to respecting the rights and privileges of workers. “As long as it refuses, we will continue in this course of action until we see the desired change. We are ready for industrial peace in the state but the choice is entirely in the hands of the government of Imo state,”he said. He also alleged that unfortunately, the government had relied on its powers to deploy the fierce and coercive forces of the state against trade unions. Ajaero also warned the government of Imo state that the NLC would hold the Governor accountable if anything happens to any worker or trade union leader in the course of the lawful protests. “Alll the threats we have received of violence against our persons are noted but we will not be deterred. “On the 1 day of November, we begin this march to save workers of Imo state from the grievous harm the government has subjected them to these past years, ”he said.

Contempt Suit: Withdraw case or face strike action, NLC warns FG

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a stern ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the withdrawal of a lawsuit filed against organized labour. According to them, failure to comply with this demand could lead to a nationwide strike on August 14, 2023. The decision was reached during the NLC’s National Executive Council meeting held in Abuja on Thursday. In a statement, signed by the National President, Joe Ajaero, and the National Secretary, Emanuel Ugboaja, the NLC strongly accused the Ministry of Justice and the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) of aligning themselves as “anti-democracy” agents. While the NLC temporarily suspended its protest following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu on Thursday, they have made it clear that they will not hesitate to initiate a nationwide total strike if labour leaders are summoned to Court by the government through the NICN. “The NLC remains resolute in its stance to protect workers’ rights and interests, emphasizing the importance of the government respecting their demands and refraining from legal actions perceived as undermining the democratic process,” the statement said. The statement further highlighted some of the resolutions of the union which include “To commit to maintaining the required vigilance needed to hold government accountable on its assurances and governance in general; to commit to the terminal date of August 19th 2023 within which the issues around the Petroleum price hike will be agreed given the assurances of the President and the National Assembly. “To go on total strike across the country any day labour leaders are summoned to Court by the government through the NICN; to demand the immediate withdrawal of this litigious terrorism by the Federal Ministry of Justice before the end of work Friday, the 11th of August, 2023. “To embark on a nationwide comprehensive strike beginning Monday 14th of August, 2023 if this contemptuous Court summons is not withdrawn by whosoever initiated it.” Though it commended the national leadership and all the state officers for the effective coordination of the protest, the union urged all affiliates and state councils including its civil society allies to stay further action but to remain focused and eternally vigilant.

Subsidy Protest: I share in your pains, Gov AbdulRazaq tells labour unions

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has said the state government has rolled out several measures designed to ease the inconveniences of fuel subsidy removal for its workers and the general public. While addressing the labour unions who presented to him a protest letter over the subsidy removal, AbdulRazaq commended labour for its peaceful protest and aspirations as representatives of the Nigerian workers. The governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Kayode Alabi, said the message from Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) was loud and clear and would be delivered to President Bola Tinubu. “We acknowledge that this is a tough moment for everyone and we share in the temporary pains of our people,” the governor said. He added that his administration empathises with the people and workers and would do more in addition to the moves already made by the state government to ease their pains. AbdulRazaq explained that, as a palliative measure, grains were being purchased from the Federal Government and would soon be distributed to vulnerable households, including labour unions and affiliate organisations. The list of beneficiaries, he said, would be inclusive and the process would involve all key stakeholders in the community. The governor further confirmed the approval of the support for students and security agencies, which was built on what was earlier announced for all categories of workers in the state. He said free transportation had earlier been arranged for tertiary students in the state. “I call on the NLC to further support and work with government to implement key economic reforms for sustainable growth alongside specific palliatives until things stabilise,” the governor said. He urged NLC to bear with the government and continue to hold talks so that everyone involved could pull through the phase in a way which would sustainably benefit the country. “There may not be easy solutions, but Nigeria will come out of this stronger and better if everyone endures and works together,” AbdulRazaq added. The State Chairman of NLC, Comrade Muritala Olayinka, said workers were facing a lot of challenges due to the removal of fuel subsidies. He urged the state government to come quickly to the aid of the people in order to lessen the pains on the people and business concerns.

NLC’s planned protest, strike according to law –Falana

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana has said the Nigeria Labour Congress and its affiliates can proceed on the August 2 strike and protest as planned, and that the exercise does not translate to any contempt of court. This is contained in a letter from the Falana Falana Chambers, solicitors to the NLC, by Sam Ogala, titled “Re- NLC in contemt of Court” and addressed to the Permanent Secretary/ Solicitor-General, Federal Ministry of Justice on July 28. According to the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, the decision of Nigerian workers to participate in peaceful rallies is for the interest of the masses and to protest the worsening economic crisis in the country. “You were reported to have accused the leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress of treating the order of the National Industrial Court with contempt. “Contrary to your unwarranted allegation, the Nigeria Labour Congress does not intend to disobey the ex parte order of the National Industrial Court. “And to the effect that “the defendants/respondents are hereby restrained from embarking on the planned Industrial Action/or strike of any nature, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice dated June 5.” Falana added that the National Industrial Court or any other Court had not granted an order of interim, interlocutory or perpetual injunction restraining Nigerian workers from participating in peaceful rallies convened by the NLC. He argued that it was the constitutional right of Nigerian workers to protest peacefully and cannot by any stretch of imagination be classified as an industrial action or strike of any nature. “It is pertinent to draw your attention to the case of Inspector- General of Polic vs Nigeria People Party (2008) of where the Court 12 WRN 65, where the Court upheld the fundamental right of Nigerians to protest without police permit in the leading judgment of the Court, Justice Adekeye. “This includes the right to demonstrate, and the right to protest on matters of public concern are rights which are in the public interest and that which individuals must possess, and which they should exercise without impediment as long as no wrongful act is done. “If as speculated by law enforcement agents, that breach of the peace will occur, our criminal code has made adequate provisions for sanctions against breakdown of law and order. “So that the requirement of permit as a conditionality to holding meetings and rallies can no longer be justified in a democratic society.” He added that, finally, freedom of speech and freedom of assembly are part of democratic rights of every citizen of the country. “Our legislature must guard these rights jealously as they are part of the foundation upon which the government itself rests. “Having advised the NLC and its allies to conduct the rallies peacefully, you may wish to advise the Nigeria Police Force to comply with section 83(4) of the Police Establishment Act 2020. “Where a person or organisation notifies the police of his or its intention to hold a public meeting, rally or procession on a public highway or such meetings in a place where the public has access to. “The police officer responsible for the area where the meeting rally or procession will take place shall mobilise personnel to provide security to provide security cover for the meeting, rally or the procession,” he said. The National Industrial Court in Abuja on June 5, restrained the NLC and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, from embarking on their planned strike to protest the unilateral removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government. The court, in a ruling that was delivered by Justice O. Y. Anuwe, barred the two organizations from proceeding with the strike action, pending the determination of a suit that was brought before it by FG. The court held that the interim order, as well as the substantive suit, should be immediately served on both the NLC and the TUC, which were cited as defendants/respondents in the suit marked: NICN/ABJ/158/2023, even it fixed the matter for hearing on June 19. The court order followed an ex-parte application that FG filed through the Federal Ministry of Justice. FG’s lawyer, Mrs. Maimuna Lami Shiru, who moved the application, maintained that the proposed strike action was capable of disrupting economic activities, the health sector and the educational sector. FG further tendered Exhibits FGN 1, 2 and 3, which were notices from the NLC, TUC and the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, to their members, asking them to withdraw their services with effect from Wednesday, June 7. The court, in its ruling, held that it was empowered by section 7(b) of the NIC Act, 2006, with the exclusive jurisdiction in matters relating to the grant of any order to restrain any person or body from taking part in any strike, lockout or any industrial action. It held that sections 16 and 19(a) of the NIC Act 2006, also empowered it to grant urgent interim reliefs. The court held that the affidavit of urgency as well as the submission of FG’s lawyer revealed: “a scenario that may gravely affect the larger society and the well-being of the nation at large”. On July 27, the Federal Government said the planned strike by the NLC over the removal of fuel subsidy and its attendant hardship is in contempt of an order of the National Industrial Court. Solicitor-General of the Federation Beatrice Jeddy-Agba, in a statement on the issue, warned the NLC leadership to desist from threatening court orders with disdain. The NLC, on July 19, issued a notice to begin a nationwide strike on Aug. 2 to protest the removal of fuel subsidy amid an astronomical hike in the pump price of petrol resulting from the policy announced by President Bola Tinubu at his inauguration on May 29.