The nationwide strike, initially announced by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) a week ago, is now underway, with various affiliate unions actively participating in the industrial action.
The NLC, on Monday, directed its members to embark on a nationwide strike, accusing the government of failing to meet their demands.
Participating unions encompass a range of sectors, including the National Union of Banks, Insurance, and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE), the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, and the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP).
Others joining the strike are the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), the National Union of Food Beverage and Tobacco Employees, the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN), and the National Union of Electricity Employees.
The catalyst for this collective action was the physical assault on NLC National President Joe Ajaero, which occurred two weeks ago in Imo State.
Ajaero and fellow NLC members were in the Southeast state for a demonstration addressing issues such as the “non-payment of salaries and pensions for 44 months and violation of other labour rights.”
The Federal Government had also asked the organised labour to shelve the strike describing it as contempt of court order.
The National Industrial Court had earlier restrained the NLC, TUC, and affiliates from embarking on the strike.
