- Police called NLC president Ajaero for questioning related to charges including criminal conspiracy, others, with a notice that failure to appear would warrant arrest
- Following this, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) called on all workers in the country to shut down the economy should President Joe Ajaero be arrested
- Consequently, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) condemned attacks, demanded respect for workers' rights in Nigeria
The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) condemned the rising attacks on trade unions in Nigeria and voiced serious concern about the intimidation faced by labour leaders.
The union made a post on its official X page, previously Twitter, on Tuesday, August 20, declaring, “#Nigeria 🇳🇬: The ITUC is gravely concerned by the escalating attacks on the trade union movement in the country.”
In another post on the organisation’s website, the union emphasised key incidents, including the police’s summons of NLC President Joe Ajaero, a raid on the NLC’s main office, and the deaths of 13 protesters.
Triangle demanded an end to trade union intimidation in Nigeria
ITUC General Secretary Luc Triangle said, “The situation in Nigeria is deeply concerning. These latest events come on the back of a sharp rise in intimidation and repression of trade unions.
“This includes the harassment of activists, the violation of collective bargaining rights and the violent suppression of peaceful protests. We see the systematic contravention of ILO conventions by the Nigerian government, particularly those related to freedom of association and the right to organise.
Luc Triangle, General Secretary of the ITUC, has demanded that the Nigerian government put an end to its intimidation and respect workers' rights.
“Nigeria is a leader in Africa, it is important that the government there sets a good example regarding respect for human and labour rights and the rule of law. We call on the government to stop these attacks including the intimidation and judicial harassment of President Joe Ajaero and the NLC,” he stated.
Recall that On Tuesday, August 20, Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), was called in by the police for questioning related to an investigation into “criminal conspiracy” and “terrorism financing,” with the possibility of an arrest warrant if he failed to appear.
The letter read, “This office is investigating a case of Criminal Conspiracy, Terrorism Financing, Treasonable Felony, Subversion, and Cybercrime in which you have been implicated.
“You are therefore required to report to the undersigned for an interview on Tuesday, 20th August 2024, at 10:00 hrs prompt, at Old Abattoir by Guzape Junction, Abuja, through the Team Leader on telephone no 08035179870, in connection with the above investigation.
“Be informed that if you fail to honour this letter, this office will have no choice but to issue a warrant for your arrest.”
Consequently, the NLC urged its affiliated members and the entire workforce in Nigeria to shut down the economy immediately if the Nigerian Police should arrest its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero.
Atiku, Obi, others react over raid of Labour headquarters
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) had claimed that the Department of State Services (DSS) raided and removed some documents in the NLC headquarters in Abuja.
The alleged invasion prompted reactions from some statesmen, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Labour Party's presidential candidate Peter Obi; human rights activist Femi Falana, SAN; Amnesty International; and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC).