Nineteen unions have so far directed their workers to comply with the directive of the two labour unions to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike.
At its meeting in Abuja on November 13, 2023, the labor unions’ National Executive Council decided to go on strike.
The emergence of this trend might be attributed to the Federal Government’s purported inability to tackle labor-related concerns, including minimum wage, insecurity, corruption, and inadequate governance.
Also, unions had made some demands, which the government had allegedly failed to address following the recent crisis in Imo that resulted in the alleged brutalisation of the NLC President, Mr Joe Ajaero, and other members of the labour unions.
Some of the unions that have complied with the directives include,
1. The Academic Staff Union of Universities.
2. The Senior Staff Associations of Nigerian Universities.
3. The College of Education Academic Staff Union.
4. The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics.
5. The National Union of Food Beverage and Tobacco Employees.
6. The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics.
7. The Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria.
8. National Association of Academic Technologists.
9. National Union of Postal and Telecommunication Employees.
10. Nigeria Union Of Local Government Employees.
11. Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria.
12. Nigeria Union of Public Service Reportorial, Secretarial, Data Processors and Allied Workers.
13. National Union of Textile Garments and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria.
14. National Associations of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives.
15. National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees.
16. Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria.
17. The National Union of Electricity Employees.
18. Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria.
19. Nigeria Union of Railway Workers.
In accordance with the direction from the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, the Academic Staff Union of Universities on Monday instructed all zonal coordinators and union chairs to advise their members to begin the nationwide strike.
This was stated in a letter that was sent out on Monday night and signed by Emmanuel Osodeke, the national president of ASUU.
The letter read, “The Nigeria Labour Congress at a Joint National Executive Council of NLC and TUC directed all affiliate unions to commence the withdrawal of services with effect from 12 midnight today November 13, 2023.
“As an affiliate of NLC, all members of our union are hereby directed to join this action of NLC to protect the interest of Nigerian workers and the leadership of the union.”
Also, the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees directed its staff to join the strike, saying, “We hereby direct all our members in all Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions to stay off duty as from 14th November 2023 until otherwise directed by the Congress.”
certain schools in the state of Ondo were closed, while certain banks and hospitals in other states ceased operations.
In a related development, the Nigerian Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress called for a strike, and Federal Capital Territory High Court personnel obeyed.
