In a move that appears to be in violation of a court order, the organised labour has ordered its members to withdraw services and shutdown the nation indefinitely beginning from 12 midnight (Today).
The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) gave the directive at a joint press conference in Abuja, on Monday which was monitored by Africa Today News, New York.
Recall that over the weekend, the National Industrial Court (NIC) had restrained the two labour centres and their affiliates from embarking on the planned nationwide strike.
However, the TUC president, Festus Osifo, who led the briefing, said government has refused to yield to the congress’ demands regarding the recent attack and brutalisation of NLC President, Joe Ajaero, in Owerri, Imo State, two weeks ago, while leading union members on a strike against alleged abuse of workers’ rights by the state government.
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Labour accused Governor Hope Uzodimma of mobilising thugs and officers who attacked and arrested the NLC president to frustrate the planned strike in the state.
However, the state Police Command has refuted the allegations, saying Ajaero was not arrested but taken into protective custody to avoid being lynched by a mob.
On his part, Uzodimma, who has just been re-elected governor, blamed Ajaero for his alleged partisanship in the state.
Speaking yesterday, Osifo said: ‘The two Labour centres have resolved to stand firmly by the decision of the joint NEC that was held last Tuesday “That effective, 00:1 hours, on November 14, we shall declare a nationwide strike.’
He stressed ‘So, effective tomorrow or midnight today, a nationwide strike is going to commence. All affiliates of TUC, all affiliates of NLC, all state councils of the two centres have been mobilised adequately and this is going to be indefinite until governments, at all levels, wake up to their responsibilities. This is the decision of the joint NEC of NLC and TUC and we are going to carry out to the latter.’
Meanwhile, the Federal Government in its reaction to move has insisted that there is a subsisting court order stopping the unions and their affiliates from embarking on the strike.