The Nigerian Labour Congress has declared their intentions to embark on Industrial actions, Strikes and Protest on Wednesday 1 November 2023 against the Government of Imo State.
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, make this known to journalists on Sunday in Abuja. He said that the Congress has already commenced mass mobilisation of its members across affiliate unions for the showdown in Owerri.
He also stated that Labour is really bothered 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.
He further said that 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 Government of Senator Uzodima for 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.
“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 in 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 these lawful protests.
“All the threats we have received of violence against our persons are noted but we will not be deterred. On the 1st 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,” Ajaero warned.
The NLC leadership outlined some of the alleged infractions committed by the Imo State government to include refusal to implement previous agreements.
He also accused the government of repeatedly reneging on agreements, most notably the accord reached on January 9th, 2021, between the government and organised Labour.
