The NLC sparks unrest as Nigeria grinds to a halt amid escalating labour strife. The ongoing NLC strike is causing nationwide disruption, understanding Nigeria’s current labour strife.
The recent upheaval in Nigeria seems to center around the government’s decision to remove the fuel subsidy, leading to a sharp rise in petrol prices across the nation. Labor unions argue that this policy disproportionately impacts Nigerians, particularly the less privileged, exacerbating their living conditions. Their primary demand is the reinstatement of fuel prices to the original official rate of N197 per liter before subsidy removal.
In addition to the fuel subsidy issue, labour unions express discontent over delays in implementing the agreed-upon N35,000 national minimum wage from October 2023. They are advocating for broader relief measures, including tax breaks, social welfare, and public transportation, to alleviate the impact of subsidy removal on workers and citizens.
The federal government contends that subsidy removal is vital to redirect funds towards infrastructure, healthcare, and education, citing the previous system’s unsustainability and susceptibility to corruption. Despite offering provisional measures such as a six-month wage increase of N25,000 and cash transfers to households, labor unions reject these proposals as insufficient.
Originally scheduled for November 7, 2023, the strike was temporarily suspended for 30 days following talks between labour leaders and a government delegation. However, it resumed on November 14, with unions accusing the government of reneging on promises. This has disrupted economic activities and public services, prompting the government to seek a court order to halt the strike.
Some experts, including human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong, link the strike’s resumption to the arrest of NLC leader Joe Ajaero. Effiong emphasizes potential consequences on civic space and urges unions not to be intimidated by the government.
Ajaero’s arrest on November 1, 2023, allegedly for defying a court order, sparked widespread condemnation. Labour unions claim he was brutalized, with video evidence circulating on social media. The police deny these allegations, asserting that Ajaero was taken into custody to prevent a potential attack. Although released later, Ajaero’s arrest fuelled further outrage, with unions threatening to resume the nationwide strike unless their leader was freed and thus defying court orders in the process.
The strike action, which was initially scheduled to start on November 7, 2023, was suspended for 30 days after a meeting between the labour leaders and the government delegation, led by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila. The two parties agreed to set up a joint committee to review the proposal for any wage increase or award and establish a framework and timeline for implementation. They also agreed to meet again in two weeks to continue the dialogue on the fuel subsidy matter.
The strike action however was later resumed on November 14, 2023, after the labour unions accused the government of reneging on its promises and failing to address their demands. The strike has paralysed economic activities and disrupted public services in many states, as workers, students, traders, and commuters have joined the protest. The government has condemned the strike as an abuse of privilege and power, and has sought a court order to restrain the labour unions from continuing the industrial action. The court has granted the order, but the labour unions have vowed to defy it and carry on with the strike until their demands are met.
Further research carried out by PJ News confirms that many experts believe the arrest of the NLC union leader, Joe Ajaero, was a catalyst for the resumption of the nationwide strike by the labour unions.
Inibehe Effiong, a human rights lawyer, said that the “brutish and degrading” treatment of Mr Ajaero should not go unchallenged. He added that “this will have a devastating consequence on the civic space in the country” and that the labour unions should not be intimidated by the government.
Emmanuel Ugboaja, the NLC General Secretary, and Nuhu Toro, the TUC General Secretary, said that they would call for an immediate nationwide strike if Mr Ajaero was not released. They said that they could not be at work while their president was in the gulag and that they could not be at peace when the Imo state government continued to disrespect workers and treat them with utter disdain.
Oluyemi Ogunseyin, a labour analyst, said that the arrest of Mr Ajaero was a provocation and a violation of the right to peaceful protest. He said that the labour unions had a legitimate cause to demand better welfare and working conditions from the government and that the arrest of their leader would only escalate the tension and anger among the workers.
The NLC union leader, Joe Ajaero, was arrested by the police in Owerri, the capital of Imo state, on November 1, 2023. The reason for his arrest was that he allegedly disobeyed an existing court order by the National Industrial Court restraining the NLC and the TUC from carrying out any protest in the state.
The NLC and the TUC were protesting against the Imo state government over the non-payment of workers’ salaries and benefits, the removal of fuel subsidy and other welfare issues. Mr Ajaero was addressing the workers at the NLC secretariat when the police stormed the premises and whisked him away.
The NLC and the TUC claimed that Mr Ajaero was brutally assaulted by the police and thugs, who inflicted heavy injuries and blows to his head and body, kicking him and dragging him on the ground. They also alleged that the police continued to beat him after taking him away, causing injuries that shut his right eye. A video of a wounded Mr Ajaero also emerged on social media, prompting criticism of the police from many Nigerians.
The police, however, denied the allegations, saying that they took Mr Ajaero into custody to save him from a mob attack by some NLC members who were opposed to the union’s plan to lock down the airport and other essential facilities in the state. They said that they ensured the protection of his life and that he was not lynched.
Mr Ajaero was later released by the police and rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, for immediate medical treatment.
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