Affiliates of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) in Lagos State have adhered to the directives of the two labor unions, commencing an indefinite nationwide strike.
The decision to strike was reached during the National Executive Council meeting of the unions held on November 13, 2023, in Abuja. The unions cited the alleged failure of the Federal Government to address key issues affecting workers, including minimum wage, insecurity, corruption, and poor governance.
The strike follows the recent crisis in Imo State, where the NLC President, Mr. Joe Ajaero, and other union members were reportedly brutalized. Despite a warning from the government on November 13, cautioning against the strike and citing a restraining order obtained from the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, the labor unions proceeded with the industrial action.
The Secretary-General of the Nigeria Union of Railway Workers, Mr. Segun Esan, confirmed the union’s participation in the strike, leading to a halt in train services. Esan stated that all railway workers were obligated to join the nationwide strike from the early hours of Tuesday, November 14, 2023, by staying home and avoiding their offices. He emphasized the closure of all railway offices, stations, workshops, and premises until further directive from the Congress.
Additionally, the President of the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance, and Financial Institutions, Mr. Oluwole Olusoji, announced that members had been advised to comply with the strike. He emphasized the importance of safeguarding lives and property during the strike and expressed the association’s commitment to monitoring the situation as it unfolds.
