Global union warns against injustice in Nigeria's labour movement

IndustriALL Global Union has called on the Federal Government and the police to respect fundamental trade union rights to freedom of association and not to resort to intimidation and violence to resolve the cost-of-living crisis.

The union, which houses 550 affiliates in 130 countries, including Nigeria, alleged that with the occupation of Labour House by armed police and the confiscation of union documents of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), it seemed the government had no interest in addressing the workers’ grievances but unfortunately sought to further the conflict through intimidation and violence.

IndustriALL Global Union General Secretary, Atle Høie, in a letter to the Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police Intelligence Response Team, yesterday, said it was appalling to learn that the police wanted to interview the President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, and general secretary of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), which are affiliated to IndustriALL, on unfounded charges of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.

He said resorting to spurious charges that with heavy prison sentences was meant to intimidate and silence the labour movement.

He urged the Federal Government and the police to stop the repressive actions and intimidation and to engage in meaningful social dialogue with trade unions, noting that the authorities must take necessary actions to stop the injustice against the labour movement in Nigeria.

He stressed that having closely followed the workers’ mass actions in Nigeria this year; he could not see that Ajaero had committed any crime but simply carried out his duties as a trade union leader.

These duties, he said were protected by international labour standards, the national constitution and labour laws.

“As part of the NLC collective, he has been campaigning for pro-worker economic policies and better working conditions for Nigerian workers that include living wages, affordable transport, and social security for vulnerable communities.

“Importantly, his approach has been to promote social dialogue with the Federal Government of Nigeria to reverse the increasing cost of living, which is impoverishing millions of workers. However, I believe there is still an opportunity to resolve the impasse amicably through social dialogue,” he said.