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NLC, TUC suspend nationwide strike after meeting with FG

By Ahmed Ajikobi

 

The Joint National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has announced the suspension of the ongoing nationwide strike.

The suspension of the strike which was embarked upon on Tuesday came after leaders of the two unions met with representatives of the federal government at the office of the national security adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, in Abuja, on Wednesday

The federal government was represented at the meeting by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong and Minister of state of the same Ministry, Nkeiruka Onyeajeocha as well the NSA, Ribadu.

The unions were represented by Festus Usifo, president of TUC; Emmanuel Ugboaja, general secretary of NLC and other labour leaders.

Speaking to journalists at the end of the sitdown, the TUC president said they had a robust discussion with the federal government’s team.

The labour leaders said they received a commitment from the Ribadu-led meeting that those arrested for the physical assault on Ajaero would be prosecuted.

The nationwide strike is a protest against the alleged brutality of Joe Ajaero, president of NLC, in Imo state.

Ajaero was reportedly picked up from the Imo council secretariat of the congress in Owerri by heavily armed police officers.

However, the Imo police command said Ajaero was not arrested but was taken into protective custody to avoid being lynched by a mob.

On November 5, the national industrial court in Owerri, the capital of Imo, issued an order restraining labour unions from embarking on a strike in the state.

Also, the federal government secured an order restraining the unions and their affiliates from embarking on the strike.

Despite the court orders, the labour unions stood their ground and proceeded with the strike.

Nuhu Ribadu, the NSA, had begged the unions to call off the strike, adding that the attackers of Ajaero, have been arrested.

 

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