The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) announced a nationwide strike, which has already started. Various affiliate unions are taking part in the industrial action. The NLC shared circulars on Facebook, demonstrating the unions’ adherence to the strike directive issued a week ago.
Affiliate unions joining the strike include the National Union of Banks, Insurance, and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE), the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP), the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), the National Union of Food, Beverage, and Tobacco Employees, the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN), the National Union of Electricity Employees, and the Nigeria Union of Railway Workers.
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Some people believe that the strike is a response to the alleged attempt to thwart Governor Hope Uzodimma’s reelection bid in the most recent governorship election.
Despite a restraining order from the National Industrial Court (NIC) due to a standoff with the Imo State Government, the unions, in defiance of the court order, instructed workers nationwide to withdraw their services starting at midnight.
“In furtherance of the decision of the Joint National Executive Council (NEC) of NLC and TUC, all workers in Nigeria are hereby directed to withdraw their services effective 12:00 midnight today, stated the joint statement by the unions.
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The unions accused the Imo State Government of orchestrating an assault on the NLC chief, alleging an attempt to suppress protests over workers’ rights. The chief was reportedly assaulted, detained briefly, and badly injured.
The NLC and TUC had previously threatened a nationwide strike if the government did not meet their demands, including the resignation of police officials. Expressing concern about the suppression of peaceful protests, the unions emphasized their commitment to Nigerian workers.
Despite recent strikes with varying levels of impact, the unions proceeded with the current strike after picketing the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja last week to underscore their demands, causing inconvenience to travellers.
In the past month, unions had called off a planned strike protesting rising living costs when the government offered measures to mitigate the impact of its economic reforms.
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