Attack on Labour in Imo, leaves Nigeria’s democracy threatened

Recent labour crises in the Country have left narratives giving more stench to democracy and good governance in the Country. It would be reminiscent how a planned peaceful protest by the organised labour comprising the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Imo State on Wednesday, the 1st of November, 2023, turned sour by the invasion of armed thugs and security operatives who pounced on labour leaders, leaving particularly the National President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero brutalised and abducted. The attack reportedly left Ajaero at critical condition, battling to save his right eye.

The organised labour consequently  declared a total nationwide strike effective next week Tuesday, November 14, 2023. The leadership of the two unions reached the resolution after an extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Tuesday in Abuja. The NLC and its TUC counterparts, also have declared an immediate and total strike in Imo State from midnight Tuesday. In a communique issued at the end of their joint NEC meeting, NLC and TUC directed all workers and affiliates to ensure compliance.

According to the communique, all flights in and out of Imo State, fuel supplies and electricity will be stopped immediately as applicable. Besides the brutalisation of Ajaero, other grievances of the labour unions include outstanding salary arrears, unjust declaration of 11,000 workers as ghost employees, unsettled gratuities, non-compliance of N30,000 minimum wage act, and declaration of 10,000 pensioners as ghost retirees in Imo State.

In the communique which was signed by NLC’s Deputy President and TUC President, Prince Adewale Adeyanju, and Festus Osifo, respectively, the organised labour said, “The meeting deliberated on the distressing incident involving the abduction and assault of the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero.

“Additionally, the council addressed the appalling acts of violence and bloodshed inflicted upon him and fellow workers, who had assembled at the NLC Imo state Secretariat in compliance with the directive on Imo State. These acts were perpetrated by the Imo State Government, acting under the guidance of the Governor and in collaboration with the Nigeria Police.

“To this end, the joint NLC/TUC NEC-in-session observed that the decision to embark on an industrial action in Imo state was purely in keeping with its earlier resolution; the Imo State Government under Hope Uzodimma heartlessly continues in its abuse of the rights and privileges of workers in the state. The Government has repeatedly reneged on agreements, most notably the accord reached on January 9, 2021, between the Government and Organised Labour.

“Shockingly, some workers have been subjected to a staggering 20 months of unpaid salaries under the unfounded label of ‘ghost workers. Approximately 11,000 hardworking individuals have been unjustly branded as ghost workers, their salaries diverted even while they diligently carried out their duties.

“The wanton destruction of the NLC State Secretariat is a blatant attack on the rights of workers and a violation of the sanctity of their representative body. The introduction of discriminatory pay practices and the imposition of apartheid-like policies in determining monthly payments is an affront to fair labour practices.

“The Government has failed to address the eight-year backlog of gratuity owed to retirees, showing a grave disregard for the rights of those who have dedicated their careers in service. The Government has persistently shirked its duty to properly implement the N30,000 National Minimum Wage, a critical safeguard for the economic well-being of workers.

“The Government’s witchhunt against trade union leaders through various guises constitutes an alarming assault on the right to represent and advocate for the rights of workers.  The continued deployment of thugs and violence against workers and their leaders is an unacceptable practice that undermines the democratic rights of workers.

“The impoundment and illegal diversion of union dues, funds rightfully belonging to the unions, is a gross violation of the rights of workers to manage their collective resources. Approximately 10,000 pensioners have been wrongly labelled as ghost pensioners, resulting in over 22 months of unpaid pensions, tragically leading to the loss of lives.

“The entire workforce is constantly subjected to threats of violence and sack, creating an environment of fear and uncertainty. The Government’s persistent resistance to the use of the instruments of social dialogue and collective bargaining is an affront to the principles of fair labour practices. The violent interference and disruption of the Imo State Delegates’ Conference demonstrates a blatant attempt to impose favored candidates on the workers, undermining their democratic rights.”

The communique recalled that “workers had gathered to peacefully protest these infractions by the Governor at the Secretariat of the NLC in Imo State as guaranteed by our extant labour laws and the Constitution. The Police supported a group of Imo state thugs led by the SA on Special Duties to invade the premises of the Imo NLC Secretariat and unleashed mayhem on the few workers who had gathered inflicting injuries and stealing and damaging personal effects including various sums. 

“The President of the NLC was subsequently subjected to brutalisation, blindfolded and abducted by the Police and taken to an unknown destination where he was further subjected to further violations and humiliation; The NLC and TUC have made demands on the Government which have not been met as at the time of this session.

“The continued prevalence of the use of violence and impunity in negotiating rights and interests within the nation’s socio-economic space against all known dictates of democracy and Social Dialogue.” The communique noted that consequently, the NLC/TUC NEC-in-Session resolved to order the immediate withdrawal of services and shutdown of Imo State beginning midnight today (Tuesday).

“All workers and affiliates are expected to ensure compliance from wherever they are. All flights into and out of Imo state, fuel supplies and electricity be stopped immediately as applicable. All public and private sector workers are to immediately down tools indefinitely.

“If our demands are still unmet, workers all over the federation shall join in withdrawing their services by midnight Tuesday, the 14th of November, 2023. All State Councils of NLC and TUC and affiliates are by this resolution mandated to ensure full compliance with NEC’s decision,” the organised labour directed.

The labour unions had earlier issued a five-day ultimatum over the ugly development,  demanding the redeployment of the Commissioner of Police in Imo State and the arrest and prosecution of the aide of the governor who allegedly masterminded the attack. 

The attacks as alleged by the NLC was graduated to the home community of Ajaero in Imo State. The NLC alleged that barely after three days Uzodimma sent thugs and the police to brutalise the Congress President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, the governor on Saturday, November 4, invaded and attacked his (Ajaero) hometown, Azalla Owalla in Emekuku in Owerri, the state capital, to continue his mission.

The consequences of the recent drama has brought several sides of reasons and impacts. First, it would be noted that Imo State is enlisted among the three States where off-cycle election is imminent. Negative actions which have led to the attacks erupting further labour reactions were unreasonable. Rather than the option of violence, dialogue would have sufficed to address the situation. A situation where election is to be conducted amidst such crisis pose challenges to democratic process. Also, attacking a group of people who are workers expressing their grievances is by its expression a reflection of barbaric tendencies which are antithetical to democratic tenets.  

The actions that led to labour declaring a total shut down of the State were taken too far and the consequences far outweigh any justification for the attack meted on the labour leaders. It is important that government actors learn to caution their actions in addressing criticisms and peaceful reactions to situations, as part of the key tenets of democracy which give credence to rights, such as freedom of speech.