Mohammed Shosanya
Labour Veterans and Trade Unionists/ Assembly, has faulted the way the recent strike was conducted by the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) together with Trade Union Congress(TUC).
A statement on Friday issued by Comrade Isa Tijjani, Interim Chairman of the Group and former National Vice President of
Nigeria Labour Congress, said the shutting down of the National Grid by the labour leaders amounted to treasonable felony.
He said:”We are miffed by the apparent treasonable felony committed by the striking Labour leaders in bringing down the national grid, stopping citizens from going about their legitimate businesses, forceful eviction of law abiding citizens from their offices and employment by force and arm twisting tactics on people to abide by the strike.
“All these should be investigated and appropriate actions taken.
Tijani,also a former National Deputy President of National Union of Petroleum Workers(NUPENG), said agitations for minimum wage is a legitimate right however, the means and method used in undertaking the strike is not only unfair but criminal and against rectified International Labour Organisation(ILO) Conventions, which is aimed at protecting essential service sectors in any given economy from such disruption.
He warned the leadership of NLC to desist from engaging in partisan politics while agitating for the welfare of the Nigerian workers.
“Our earlier caution against using the Congress as a platform for partisan politics has gone unheeded and the consequences are here for all to see.
“The penchant to opt for strike as the first option in settling labour disputes is inimical even to the interest of workers in whose name the strike was embarked upon in the first place.
“This demonstrates lack of seriousness and deep reflection on the side of NLC leadership for always swinging into acting before they think.
“Such actions are inimical to well-known norms and practices of the labour movement and should be stopped forthwith.
“Finally, we want to highlight Joe Ajaero’s actions which is aimed at dragging the Congress into muddy waters of ethnicity, political partisanship and self-aggrandisement which has been there for long.
“We have had cause to highlight these issues since 2023 and will continue to do so,” Tijani said.
