TUC May Not Participate in Workers Protests, Accuses NLC of Taking Unilateral Decisions
Nigeria’s senior workers apex body, Trade Union Congress (TUC) may not join Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the planned nationwide strike coming up on February 21-23.
TUC in a letter to NLC, accused it of taking unilateral decision on joint actions since Joe Ajaero took over the leadership of the congress.
According to TUC, it jointly agreed with NLC to give the federal government a 14-day deadline to meet labour demands.
TUC however said it was disappointed that NLC leadership at the expiration of the deadline on Thursday fixed the date for the protests without consulting it.
TUC says this is the third time that NLC would be making unilateral decision on issues mutually agreed upon since Joe Ajaero took over the leadership of NLC.
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To TUC, a first and second time of such unilateral decisions by NLC could pass as an error, but it regards a third time as a deliberate attempt to undermine it.
Speaking on the planned protests, the DSS spokesman, Peter Afunanya, in a statement on Wednesday called on the NLC to shelve the plan.
He urged the NLC not to embark on the protests in the interest of peace and public order, stating that going ahead with the protests could increase tension across the country.
The statement read, The attention of the DSS has been drawn to plans by sections of the organised labour to stage protests between 27th and 28th February 2024 in parts of the country over sundry economic issues.
While the service recognises such an action as the legitimate right of the labour movement, it, however, urges the body to shelve the plan in the interest of peace and public order.
The DSS further calls on parties to pursue dialogue and negotiation rather than engaging in conducts that could heighten tensions.
This is more so that the service is aware that some elements are planning to use the opportunity of the protest to foment crisis and by extension, widespread violence. The development, without doubt, will worsen the socio-economic situation across the country.
It urged opposition groups, religious and traditional institutions, civil society, and non-governmental bodies to eschew violence.
