The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has asked workers in Imo state to withdraw their services in protest of alleged unfair labour treatment by the state government.
The Congress said it would embark on a protest in the state on November 1, 2023.
The NLC said there would be a total shutdown of economic activities in the state, saying that all workers from all affiliate unions of the Congress are expected to be on the streets to press home their grievances over alleged non-payment of salaries and other unfair labour treatment against workers in the State.
NLC president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, disclosed this at a news conference on Sunday in Abuja.
Ajaero said the Congress has already commenced mass mobilisation of its members across affiliate unions for the showdown in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
The NLC president said Labour was “deeply concerned about the persistent and egregious violations of the rights and privileges of workers in the state by the Imo State Government.”
He lamented that despite 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.”
Ajaero said that the Imo State government, having “continued to trample on the rights of workers in the state, left them with no choice but to embark on mass protests and industrial actions beginning on the 1st day of November 2023 to demonstrate our outrage and stop the continuing violation of the rights and privileges of workers in the state.”
He accused the state government of relying on its “powers to deploy the fierce and coercive forces of the state against trade unions and their leadership to continue on this line of action.”
Ajaero said: “It has allowed itself to be misled in its belief that the continued use of threats and intimidations would perpetually dissuade Nigerian workers from taking their destinies into their own hands. It is on this note that we want to warn the government of Imo state that we would hold the Governor accountable if anything happens to any worker or trade union leader in the course of this lawful protest.
“All 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.”
The NLC leadership outlined some of the alleged infractions committed by the Imo State Government including refusal to implement previous agreements.
He accused the state government of repeatedly reneging on agreements, most notably the accord reached on January 9th, 2021, between the Government and Organised Labour.
Citing the backlog of outstanding salary arrears, Ajaero said some workers have been subjected to a staggering 20 months of unpaid salaries under the unfounded label of ‘ghost workers.”
Lamenting the situation, the NLC said under the guise of 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 also accused the state government of vandalisation of the NLC State Secretariat, describing it as a blatant attack on the rights of workers and a violation of the sanctity of their representative.
Ajaero accused the state government of introducing discriminatory pay practices and the imposition of apartheid-like policies in determining monthly payments, noting that it is an affront to fair labour practices.
He said: “The Government has failed to address the 8-year backlog of gratuity owed to retirees, showing a grave disregard for the rights of those who have dedicated their careers in service.
“The government has persistently shirked its duty to properly implement the N30,000 National Minimum Wage, a critical safeguard for the economic well-being of workers.
“The Government’s witch hunt against trade union leaders through various guises constitutes an alarming assault on the right to represent and advocate for the rights of workers.
“The continued deployment of thugs and violence against workers and their leaders is an unacceptable practice that undermines the democratic rights of workers. The impoundment and illegal diversion of union dues, funds rightfully belonging to the unions, is a gross violation of the rights of workers to manage their collective resources.
Approximately 10,000 pensioners have been wrongly labeled as ghost resulting in over 22 months of unpaid pensions, tragically leading to the loss of lives. The entire workforce is constantly subjected to threats of violence and sack, creating an environment of fear and uncertainty.”
Ajaero accused the state government of persistent resistance to the use of the instruments of social dialogue and collective bargaining as an affront to the principles of fair labor practices.
He said the violent interference and disruption of the Imo State Delegates’ Conference demonstrates a blatant attempt to impose favored candidates on the workers, undermining their democratic rights.
He said: “Nigeria Labour Congress calls on all stakeholders, including civil society organisations, 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.”
