CURRENT REPORT BLOG The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have jointly issued a directive for an immediate shutdown of flights and power supply in Imo State. This decision comes in response to various grievances and issues raised by the labor unions during an extraordinary National Executive Council meeting in Abuja. In this blog post, we explore the reasons behind this dramatic action and the implications of a nationwide strike set to begin on November 14, 2023.
Labor Unions’ Resolutions: The joint communique issued after the meeting, co-signed by TUC President Festus Osifo and NLC Deputy President Adewale Adeyanju, reveals that both unions have taken decisive steps in response to various grievances. These issues include non-compliance with the national minimum wage, intimidation and harassment of trade union leaders, the use of violence and thuggery, failure to implement previous agreements, unpaid salary arrears, the vandalization of the NLC state secretariat, and the implementation of discriminatory pay, among others.
Immediate Shutdown of Imo State: In response to these concerns, the NLC and TUC have ordered the immediate withdrawal of services and the shutdown of Imo State, beginning from midnight on the day of the resolution. This directive includes the cessation of all flights into and out of Imo State, fuel supplies, and electricity services. Public and private sector workers are urged to down tools indefinitely, and strict compliance with this directive is expected from workers across the state.
Nationwide Strike Declaration: The unions have also declared a total nationwide strike scheduled to commence on Tuesday, November 14, 2023. This action serves as a collective response to the unresolved issues and grievances against the government.
Mandate for Compliance: The resolution passed by the NLC/TUC NEC-in-Session mandates all state councils of NLC, TUC, and their affiliates to ensure full compliance with the decisions made during the meeting.
Political Timing: It is worth noting that this labor showdown in Imo State is happening just days before the governorship poll scheduled for November 11, 2023. The incumbent governor, who is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) seeking re-election, adds a political dimension to this labor action.
Conclusion: The joint directive by NLC and TUC for the immediate shutdown of services in Imo State and the declaration of a nationwide strike reflects the seriousness of the issues raised by the labor unions. The potential impact of this action on both Imo State and the upcoming governorship election adds an additional layer of significance to this situation.
