The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced its plan to embark on mass protests and industrial actions in Imo State from November 1, 2023, to demand the respect of workers’ rights and privileges by the state government.
The NLC, in a statement signed by its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, on Sunday, accused the Imo State Government of breaching agreements and violating the rights of workers in the state.
The statement listed some of the most “egregious infractions” committed by the state government, such as owing some workers 20 months’ salaries, declaring 11,000 workers as ghost workers, vandalising the NLC state secretariat, implementing discriminatory pay, failing to settle gratuity arrears, non-compliance with national minimum wage, intimidation and harassment of trade union leaders, and use of violence and thuggery against workers and their leaders.
The NLC said it had made repeated efforts to engage in constructive dialogue and reach amicable agreements with the state government, but the government had become a “habitual and serial breaker” of these agreements.
The NLC warned the state government that it would hold the Governor accountable if anything happens to any worker or trade union leader in the course of the lawful protests.
It also urged all workers in Imo State to join the protests and industrial actions to “save workers of Imo State from the grievous harm the government has subjected them to these past years”.