NIC, TUC insist on Imo strike, claim govt thugs attacked workers on May Day

The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress has insisted on the strike it declared on Imo State starting from Wednesday.

In another communique by the duo of Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, General Secretary, NLC; and Comrade Nuhu Toro, Secretary General, TUC, the organized labour further explained further what transpired and its decision.

The communique reads, “The joint CWC-in-session of the NC and TUC after careful deliberation on the violent disruption of Workers May Day celebrations earlier today in Owerri by the agents of Imo State government strongly and overwhelmingly condemn the unprovoked assault on Imo State workers. The TUC and NLC thus reached the following conclusions:

“1.That the Government of Imo State has grossly violated the rules of engagement amongst the Social partners in industrial Relations in the country by using thugs to violently disrupt this year’s May Day in Imo State.

“2 That properties were vandalised and looted by the invading thugs of the government

“3 That some workers sustained varying degrees of injury as a result of that attack.

“4 That the Government of Imo State has become a serial abuser of workers’ rights and privileges, committing several infractions in the process.

“5. That the Government of Imo State has therefore made sane and civil social dialogue difficult in the state.

“Consequently, the Joint CWC resolved as follows:
“1. To withdraw the guarantee of Industrial peace in Imo state.
“2. To embark on a comprehensive shutdown of Imo state beginning from Wednesday the 3rd of May, 2023.
“3. That All affiliates of both the NLC and TUC in Imo State are to therefore withdraw their services in Imo state beginning from 12 midnight on Tuesday until the state Government restores and guarantees the protection of lives and properties of workers in the state
“4. Further to the above, the state Government is to sign the agreement reached between it and workers in the month of March, 2023.
“5. That NLC and TUC will monitor compliance of affiliates with the decisions of the joint CWC in session. We will not hesitate to escalate it nation-wide if positive results are not achieved quickly within days.
“6. We hold the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, responsible for any further harm done to any worker in the state now or during the industrial action.
“TUC and NLC will do whatever it takes to protect the lives and properties of workers.

“We therefore advise all residents of Imo State to stock up on necessities because we are prepared for a marathon struggle.”

Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, mni
General Secretary, NLC.

Comrade Nuhu Toro
Secretary General, TUC.