Tag: NLC

The Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) has defended the decision of workers in the electricity sector to shut down the national grid on Monday.

In a statement on Monday by NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero the Congress tackled the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) over claims that the monitoring and compliance team of NLC attacked workers manning their facilities.

The statement said that Nigerian workers will not be intimidated by any form of falsehood dished out by TCN or any other agency or organisation of the government.

The nation was thrown into darkness following the shut down of the national power grid by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), a development that brewed controversy across the country.

The statement reads: “The Nigeria Labour Congress categorically states that Nigerian workers will not be intimidated by the management of any organisation or government entity over our rightful decision to withdraw services through the indefinite nationwide strike that commenced earlier this morning.

“The spreading of outright falsehood to mislead the public instead of working with other stakeholders to resolve the issues raised by Nigerian workers via the NLC and TUC is not helpful in any way.”

The statement further said: “It will rather inflame the anger of the suffering masses who are already burdened by the cruel policies of the federal government.

“It is important that we address the Press statement by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) where they made false claims regarding the indefinite nationwide strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).

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“The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) should understand that the company is not the only one impacted by the massive withdrawal of service across the nation by Nigerian workers. It should therefore not make it a TCN affair, as other organisations also suffer from one breakdown in service or the other as a result of the nationwide industrial action.

“The Management of TCN ought to have realised that the NLC and TUC issued a notice to the federal government since the beginning of May 2024 on the issues of non-completion of the National Minimum Wage negotiation exercise and passage into Law and the vexatious hike in electricity tariff. We had demanded the completion of the Wage-setting process and a reversal of the hike in electricity tariff back to N66/kWh without any positive response from the government.

“We had thought that a responsible and proactive Management or organisation would have anticipated the impact of any nationwide strike on its operation and would have joined other stakeholders in urging the federal government to meet the demands of Nigerian workers.

“Unfortunately, the TCN was not responsive enough and could therefore not take adequate steps to assist the government avert the indefinite nationwide strike. Perhaps, TCN is not deeply worried about the plight of Nigerian workers who suffer in penury as a result of their poor pay, thus deciding not to take any positive action. In any case, we are crying because government policies have impoverished us and made living exceedingly difficult.

“One wonders whether TCN’s management needs education on the dynamics of industrial action? It is not true that anybody was manhandled by us in any TCN location. Maybe, TCN in its effort to scuttle the strike tried to force workers to be at work not realising the resolve of all workers to stay away. Why would the grid not go down when the workers who operate them decide to withdraw their service? That is how it works and it further demonstrates that without workers, no wheel can turn; no work can take place anywhere.

“Nigerian workers, led by the NLC and TUC, have exercised due caution and unusual patience in our engagement with our social partners, and this restraint has been grossly abused, unfortunately, which has led us to the present impasse. Trying to buck-pass instead of accepting blame and taking necessary steps to put its house in order will not allow the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to make discernible progress.

“We would like the organisation to take adequate measures to ensure that it discharges its responsibilities to Nigerians, especially in the Electricity sector, instead of dissipating its energy on trying to insult Nigerian workers by its deliberate peddling of falsehood.

“We have been duly informed that the TCN management has resorted to the use of the military in its effort to intimidate and harass workers in its employ who are carrying out their lawful and democratic duties at various TCN plants around Nigeria.”

The NLC said the Management of TCN would be held liable for any injury inflicted on any worker by their resort to the use of the powers of the military.

The statement added” “It is also important that we inform TCN that deploying military men to its locations is a clear abuse and insult to the military, especially in a democracy. We are sure that members of the military so misused by this deployment are not happy with the management and the authorities who have authorised the deployment.

“The NLC and TUC remain steadfast in their commitment to the emancipation of downtrodden Nigerians and will persist in the struggle for a fair and just living wage, as well as the reversal of the excessive electricity tariff hike. We call on all Nigerians to stand in solidarity with us as we demand the implementation of policies that prioritize the wellbeing of the people. We will not back down, and we will not give in to any blackmail, intimidation, or harassment.

“We use this opportunity to appreciate all Nigerians for their solidarity on the first day of this indefinite nationwide engagement and call on them as we move into the second day of this struggle to come out in numbers and join the nationwide industrial action. It is our collective struggle, and together, we can throw off the shackles that have kept us marooned in the cesspit of massive and excruciating suffering.”

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has told the labour unions that their ongoing strike will make life unbearable for Muslims preparing for e-Id al-Kabir (Salah) which is just a few days away.

In a statement signed by its executive director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the group advised the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to postpone its strike until after the Muslim festival.

The statement reads: “There is no scintilla of doubt that the strike will make life unbearable for Muslims preparing for Id al-Kabir (Salah) which is just a few days away.

“As expected, the worker’s unions of other service-providing sectors like petroleum and electricity have offered to join. This means the lives of Nigerians are likely to be thrown into a state of higgledy-piggledy in the next few days.

“But what does NLC think will happen to Muslims whose festival of Id al-Kabir is already knocking on the door? Transport fares to and fro their various destinations will skyrocket. Movements will be so adversely affected that the whole Salah period will become a horrendous experience. Is that what NLC wants?

Read Also: Speaker Abbas efforts to resolve NLC strike commendable-Ideato Rep

“The notice of strike was too short. It was given from the negotiation table and it was 48 hours or less. The approach of the current crop of NLC leaders is aggressive, arrogant, fascist and partisan. The body language is unmistakable. It is directed at bringing the government down. This NLC has no respect for the rule of law, not even an iota of decorum for democratic practices.

“If we cannot speak for the government, what about Nigerian Muslims whose lives your strike could turn into a sheer nightmare? Is this a deliberate attempt to make life uncomfortable for Muslims? Will NLC declare a strike one week before Christmas? Or is this about bringing down our Muslim-Muslim ticket? Is this part of the ‘religious war’ of ‘Yes Daddy’?

“This strike is ill-timed. It is a recipe for a topsy-turvy Salah. We advise NLC to postpone it till after the Salah. If NLC rejects our advice and goes ahead with its satanic strike, we will ask all Muslim workers who know that they will meet Allah Yaom al-Qiyaamah (The Last Day) not to cooperate with NLC. They should reject the strike because it is an assault on the religion of Islam.

“We call on all Muslim leaders and Islamic organisations in Nigeria to speak up now before it is too late. We must reject the tyranny of Muslim-haters thinly veiled in unionism. We say ‘No To Strike in Salah.’”

The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Monday, June 3, picketed offices in Anambra state, despite the sit-at-home order in the Southeast zone.

They visited federal and state secretariats in Awka, banks, Anambra State House of Assembly, schools, and hospitals.

The NLC delegation was led by the state chairman, Comrade Humphrey Nwafor, and the secretary, while the TUC delegation was led by Chris Ogbonna and the secretary.

The unions stated that their action was in line with the national directive of the NLC and TUC for an indefinite strike due to the federal government’s failure to meet the demands of organized labour for a reasonable national minimum wage and a reduction in high electricity tariffs.

They emphasized that they would not back down unless instructed by their national leaders.

“The Organized Labour Anambra State Council (NLC and TUC) will monitor all affiliate unions and offices to ensure full compliance.

“All offices both private and public should be under lock and key. Again, banks should remain closed including offices and educational institutions in Anambra state”, they said.

Before visiting the state offices, they went to the state Police headquarters at Amawbia to brief the Commissioner of Police, Obono Itam, on the strike following the police threat.

The police command has deployed its officers to strategic parts of the state to ensure that any attempt to enforce the strike action declared by the NLC (Nigeria Labour Congress) is thwarted.

This information was contained in a statement by the spokesperson of the state, Tochukwu Ikenga, a Superintendent of Police (SP), which was made available to reporters in Awka on Monday.

Read Also: Speaker Abbas efforts to resolve NLC strike commendable-Ideato Rep

The police command stated that it supports the federal government by declaring the strike “illegal and premature,” and it emphasized that it would stop at nothing to thwart its enforcement.

This includes preventing any attempt by unscrupulous elements to hijack the enforcement and cause a breach of peace.

The command encouraged the people of the state to go about their lawful businesses and be law-abiding, vigilant, and security-conscious.

However, the labour leaders assured the CP, that they were not going to fight or flog anyone, but rather, to make sure their members were not being bullied by the government.

At the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital Amaku, patients were seen roaming the premises frustrated as the Doctors and Nurses were scarce to attend to their needs.

But Ogbonna of TUC, told The Nation that they allowed the hospitals to do some skeletal services, adding that by Tuesday, it would be totally shut down everywhere

Again, he said that every school was under lock and key, adding that only those engaged in the West African Examination Council WAEC were allowed entry

One of the patients, Dorcas Nsofor, told The Nation that she came to the hospital at Amaku Awka at 7.23 am without anyone to attend to her.

The strike coincided with the Monday sit-at-home as declared by the indigenous people of Biafra, IPOB, which had been in existence for the past two years in the Southeast as Banks, markets, and offices don’t operate on the day.

Kano state on Monday, June 3, joined the NLC nationwide strike over the new minimum wage and the hike in the electricity tariff.

Public schools, banks, and the airport were shut down.

However, private school owners in Kano ignored the strike.

A proprietress, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they were not joining the strike as they stood to benefit nothing from the strike action.

Read Also: UPDATED: Indefinite strike begins Monday, NLC/TUC insist

There was compliance at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), as the unions joined the strike, shutting down the establishment.

A source at the airport said domestic flights were shut down except those for pilgrimages. Many passengers on domestic flights were stranded at the entrance gates.

The unions include the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP), and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE).

Members of the union blocked the entrance of the airport, preventing passengers from gaining entrance.

…public schools shut

Most government hospitals in Abuja were under lock and key in compliance with the ongoing strike by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

At the Kubwa General Hospital, most of the patients are left stranded as medical personnel have declined to attend to them in keeping with the enforced strike.

The NLC and the Trade Union Congress commenced an industrial strike action on Monday, June 3, to protest the N60,000 minimum wage proposal by the federal government.

While the gates of the hospital were opened, our correspondent observed a couple of nurses who packed up their bags to leave, although it could not be confirmed if it was simply the end of their shift.

A hospital staff at the Radiology Unit, informed patients who came for scans, that the hospital would not be attending to patients, as a result of the strike.

“We are not attending to patients today, because of the strike”, she told the patients.

A patient at the Pharmacy unit of the Accident and Emergency Wards, Shade Omoba lamented that she had made payments, but was declined the medication, and a refund of her money, as the unit had closed because of the strike.

She said: “They collected money and refused to give us the drugs. Even the medicine too. If they knew they wouldn’t attend to anyone because of the strike, why did they open.”

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While the post-natal ward and Laboratory Units seemed to be operating per usual, our correspondent gathered that the hospital staff were attempting to attend to as many patients as possible, before the Labour unions would arrive to enforce the strike.

I’m a similar development, students of the government Secondary School and Junior Secondary School in Kubwa have also been asked to return home until further notice, as a result of the ongoing strike.

A couple of students in senior secondary schools who spoke with our correspondent narrated that they were preparing for their second periodic test in the coming weeks, but had been told to go home until they were recalled or the strike was ended.

One of the students said: “We are in SS1. We just finished Assembly this morning and we were asked to go back home, because of the strike. And they said till further notice or they will call us back.

“We are in week 7, so we are supposed to be writing periodic tests next week. But now, we don’t know what will happen.”

Recall that the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress commenced a nationwide strike on Monday, to protest the N60,000 minimum wage proposed by the federal government.

Our correspondent gathered that some other unions, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities, aviation unions including the National Union of Air Transport Employees, the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals, and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, among others, have also joined the industrial strike action by the organised labour.

Four officials of the labour union have sustained  serious injuries following violent clash between the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) enforcement team and a group of transporters.

The clash, which took place at NTA Park Jos, was allegedly provoked by members of a privately owned transport company which operates from a motor park located at Yakubu Gowon way opposite NTA Jos.

It was learnt while a monitoring team of the Organised labour unions was going round Jos city to monitor compliance, it decided to walk into the park to address owners of the transport company.

According to the Vice chairman of NLC who led the team, Comrade Sunday Ayodele, “Immediately the touts at the park saw us arriving the gate of the park they started hauling stone at us thinking we are members of the NURTW. 

Read Also: Police to NLC, TUC: shelve strike to avoid breakdown of law and order

“Unknown to us, there is a pending dispute between the private transport company and NURTW Jos. And the touts in the park simply descended on our members. Before could understand the reason for the attack, the touts have injured 4 members of NLC. 

“It took the intervention of the security agencies for calm to be restored at the park. We had to withdraw our enforcement team from the park to allow peace to reign in the areas.

“Meanwhile, we conveyed our men to the  hospital where they are currently receiving medical attention,” Ayodele said.