Labour suspends nationwide strike
By Emma Ogbuehi
The Joint National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has suspended the ongoing strike over the battering of the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, among other pending issues.
The strike was suspended following the intervention of the Federal Government through the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).
The two labour centres directed workers to return to work from Thursday.
Deputy National President of the Trade Union Congress, Tommy Okon, confirmed this at the end of the NEC meeting.
However, discussions on the labour demands would continue.
TheNiche had earlier reported that the two labour centres went into a crucial meeting to consider whether to call off the two-day-old strike or proceed with it after concluding a meeting with a delegation of the federal government.
The meeting between Labour and the Federal Government, was held at the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).
Nuhu Ribadu, the NSA, chaired the meeting which had Simon Lalong, the Minister of Labour and Festus Osifo, TUC President in attendance.
Also in attendance was the Minister of State for Labour, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyeajeocha, NLC Secretary General, Emmanuel Ugboaja and other Labour leaders.
Recall that the NLC and TUC had declared a nationwide strike, demanding the arrest of the suspected thugs and their sponsors who battered Ajaero on November 1.
In a statement today, the NSA confirmed that Ajaero was, indeed, arrested until he intervened before the labour leader was released contrary to the claim by the police that he was not arrested but kept in protective custody.
At the end of the meeting between a delegation of the Federal Government and Labour, the NSA assured that some suspects who brutalised Ajaero have been arrested. Ribadu then promised that his office would oversee the investigation.
The labour leaders left the meeting for their caucaus meeting to consider the proposals and commitments of the NSA and whether they should call off the strike on that basis.
Labour on Tuesday commenced a nationwide indefinite strike to render its displeasure in the beating of the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, by alleged thugs in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
Below is the NLC/TUC statement suspending the strike.
