The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has taken a resolute stance to initiate protests in Imo State starting on November 1, decrying the alleged violation and abuse of workers’ rights and privileges by the state government. In a candid declaration, Mr. Joe Ajaero, the President of NLC, addressed the matter during a press conference held on Sunday in Abuja.
Ajaero expressed deep concern over the persistent and flagrant disregard for the rights and privileges of workers in Imo State by the State Government. Despite numerous attempts to engage in constructive dialogue and establish harmonious agreements, the Imo State Government has repeatedly broken these accords, trampling on the rights of its workers without hesitation.
Consequently, the NLC finds itself with no alternative but to embark on mass protests and industrial actions commencing on November 1, 2023, with the intention of voicing their discontent and putting an end to the continued violation of workers’ rights and privileges. Ajaero emphasized that the protest is a necessary response since the state government has consistently failed to uphold prior agreements.
The government’s track record includes an alarming 20-month delay in the payment of salary arrears to certain workers who have been unjustly labeled as ‘ghost workers.’ Approximately 11,000 diligent individuals have been wrongly branded as such, with their salaries diverted, even as they diligently carried out their duties.
Ajaero also highlighted the unwarranted vandalization of the NLC State Secretariat, an act that blatantly infringed upon the rights of workers and the sanctity of their representative body. Additional grievances encompass the introduction of discriminatory pay, unsettled gratuity arrears, and non-compliance with the National Minimum Wage, among others.
The NLC extends a call to action to all stakeholders, including civil society organizations, to stand in solidarity with the workers of Imo State in the face of these egregious violations. They implore the Imo State Government to fulfill its obligations and renew its commitment to respecting the rights and privileges of workers. Until this commitment is honored, the NLC vows to persist in their course of action, unwavering in their pursuit of industrial peace within the state, while emphasizing that the choice lies solely in the hands of the Imo state government.
Ajaero further lamented the government’s reliance on its powers to deploy fierce and coercive forces against trade unions, warning that the NLC would hold the Governor of Imo State accountable for any harm that befalls workers or trade union leaders during the lawful protests.
In conclusion, Ajaero affirmed, “All the threats we have received of violence against our persons are noted, but we will not be deterred. On the 1st day of November, we begin this march to save the workers of Imo State from the grievous harm the government has subjected them to these past years.”
