Workers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have exhibited partial compliance with the organised labour’s directive to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike.
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on November 13, issued a directive for all affiliates to join the indefinite nationwide strike, primarily to emphasize their demands. One of the major concerns is the “non-comment by the Federal Government over the brutalizing of the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, by security agents and hoodlums in Imo.”
The strike was triggered by the events of November 1, when the NLC, led by Ajaero, organized a protest in Imo State against alleged anti-workers policies by the state government. Ajaero was reportedly attacked and brutalized by security agents and hoodlums believed to be sent by the state government. However, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo and the Nigeria Police have refuted these allegations. It is worth noting that the National Industrial Court had restrained organised labour from proceeding with the planned nationwide strike.
Observations by NAN revealed that at the Federal Secretariat, workers were seen going about their activities. Similarly, at the Area One old Secretariat, workers were observed entering and leaving the premises. Commercial banks, including Guaranty, Union, First Bank, and others in Area 3 and 8, were operational, with customers conducting their transactions.
Some schools were open, conducting lessons, and workers who spoke with NAN expressed the view that the nationwide indefinite strike was unnecessary. They emphasized that people are already facing challenges due to economic conditions, and the indefinite strike would only exacerbate the hardship on the populace.
