Tuesday, 14 November 2023 04:47

NLC, TUC strike ’illegal, immoral, unjustifiable and irresponsible’ - Presidency

Rate this item
(0 votes)

The presidency has criticised the organised labour over its directive on nationwide strike as a result of the assault on Joe Ajaero, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President.

The organised labour comprising NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC), directed all affiliate unions of the two labour centres to implement the resolutions of the joint National Executive Council of TUC and NLC from midnight of Tuesday, November 14, 2023.

President of TUC, Festus Osifo, who addressed reporters at Labour House earlier in the day, said the strike would remain until “governments at all levels wake up to their responsibility.”

But in a statement on Monday night, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, described the decision as an attempt to blackmail the government.

He said the strike action is unjustifiable, noting that it would cause undue hardship.

“We notice with dismay the decision by the Nigerian Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress to call out workers to commence a strike action from midnight, despite a restraining order issued last week by Benedict Backwash Kanyip of the National Industrial Court.

“This decision by the NLC and TUC other than being an ego tripping move is clearly unwarranted. It is an attempt to blackmail the government by the leadership of the NLC.

“We are still at a loss as to why the NLC and TUC decided to punish a whole country of over 200million people over a personal matter involving the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, whose error of judgment led to assault on him in Owerri while he was planning to incite the workers in Imo State into a needless strike.

“While the Federal government does not condone any form of violence and assault on any citizen of Nigeria regardless of his or her social and economic status, it is on record that the Inspector General of Police has ordered investigation into what happened to Ajaero while the Commissioner of Police in Imo State under whose watch the incident happened has been transferred out of the state.

“Calling out workers on a national strike over a personal issue of a labour leader despite a clear court order against any industrial action amounts to an abuse of privilege. Power at any level should never be used to settle personal scores. Rather, it should be used to promote collective progress and advance national interest.

“We reiterate that this strike action is illegal, immoral, unjustifiable and irresponsible. What the strike notice issued Monday night after official hours suggests is it’s designed for a sinister and hidden agenda to cause undue hardship and cause civil disturbance in our country. This is unacceptable,” the statement read in part.

 

Daily Trust

April 26, 2025

Nigerian Stock Market dips after three-day rally

The Nigerian stock market ended its three-day bullish streak on Friday with a 0.3% decline…
April 21, 2025

Tunde Bakare to Tinubu: ‘Stop playing God, embrace humility’

In a fiery Easter Sunday state-of-the-nation address delivered in Lagos, Tunde Bakare, the serving overseer…
April 23, 2025

Don’t wait for the ‘perfect’ time to make big life decisions, says Phoenix mayor

Kate Gallego Kate Gallego knew she wanted to run for mayor of Phoenix, but the…
April 26, 2025

Declassified CIA file about UFO aliens attacking soldiers released

A declassified document posted to the CIA’s website is raising eyebrows with claims of an…
April 26, 2025

COINCIDENCE? Three times trucks have rammed into Christian processions in Gombe, The Cable queries

In Gombe state, there is a disturbing trend: vehicles crashing into processions of Christians during…
April 26, 2025

What to know after Day 1157 of Russia-Ukraine war

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE Russia and Ukraine 'very close to a deal', says Trump US President Donald…
April 25, 2025

Artificial sweetener found in diet drinks linked to brain changes that increase appetite, study finds

A growing body of evidence has increasingly linked diet sodas and other no- or low-calorie…
January 08, 2025

NFF appoints new Super Eagles head coach

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed Éric Sékou Chelle as the new Head Coach…

NEWSSCROLL TEAM: 'Sina Kawonise: Publisher/Editor-in-Chief; Afolabi Ajibola: IT Manager;
Contact Us: [email protected] Tel/WhatsApp: +234 811 395 4049

Copyright © 2015 - 2025 NewsScroll. All rights reserved.