.Senate and House Joint Committee to Broker Peace with Labour.
.urges NLC, TUC, ASUU to call off strike in national interest
*As PASAN lock out workers for 6 hours
The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has summoned a meeting with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress over the ongoing nationwide strike.
The NSA also said that some suspects had been arrested in connection with the attack on the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero.
The NSA, who expressed concern over the ongoing industrial action by the Trade Union Congress and Nigeria Labour Congress, said investigation had since commenced on the matter.
The NSA disclosed this in a statement by the Head, Strategic Communication Office of the National Security Adviser, Zakari Mijinyawa.
The statement partly read, “NSA Urges Labour to Rescind Strike, Condemns Attack on NLC President, says Suspects Arrested Over Attack and and Investigations have commenced.
“The Office of the National Security Adviser is concerned by the declaration of a nationwide strike by the leadership of the Organised Labour led by the NLC and TUC. The NSA is particularly worried about the implications of the strike action on the livelihood of ordinary Nigerians and its potential impact on economic security and other strategic national interests.
“As attested by the NLC leadership, the NSA immediately intervened on learning about the travails of the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress Joseph Ajaero who was assaulted in Owerri, Imo State.
The NSA regrets the incident and condemns it in its entirety as it was against the rule of law and the principles of freedom of association and expression subscribed to by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration.
“As attested by the NLC leadership, the NSA immediately intervened on learning about the travails of the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress Joseph Ajaero who was assaulted in Owerri, Imo State.
The NSA regrets the incident and condemns it in its entirety as it was against the rule of law and the principles of freedom of association and expression subscribed to by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration. The Federal Government will never condone such an act. ”
The NSA assured that the outcome of the investigation would be made public, appealing to the unions to call off the strike.
“As a fallout of the incident relevant authorities were directed to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the assault and bring to book the culprits. Available update indicates that some arrests have already been made in this regard. The outcome of the investigation will be made public as soon as it is concluded.
“The Federal Government, through the Office of the NSA, therefore appeals to the labour leadership to call off the current strike action and allow the dialogue process underway to be exhausted, ” the statement added.
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mr Nuhu Ribadu, has disclosed that investigations have commenced into the assault on the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero.
Senate urges NLC, TUC, ASUU to call off strike in national interest
Senate has called on the organised Labour to call off the ongoing strike in the interest of Nigerians.
Senate also summoned an immediate emergency meeting with the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Trade Union Congress (TUC) and other labour unions to find amicable solutions.
Senate resolutions followed adoption of a motion “On need for NLC to reconsider its stand on the ongoing strike at plenary on Wednesday.
The motion was sponsored by Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele (APC-Ekiti).
Bamidele in his lead debate said that the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) Academic Staff Union of Universities, Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria among other union had commenced a nation wide strike on Nov.14.
He said Senate was aware that the strike was connected with the alleged assault and alleged brutality of the President of Nigerian Labour Congress during the electioneering campaign that took place at Imo state.
He said it was worrisome that most of the demands of the Nigerian Labour Congress for the current strike were not targeted towards the welfare of Nigerian workers but essentially arising from alleged political involvement of President of Nigeria Labour Congress, who is also a citizen of Imo.
He said Senate was also aware of the establishment of the Police Service Commission, a body that in charge of the promotion and discipline of Police officers including the Commissioner of Police of Imo state.
He said the Commissioner had affirmed that as a matter of fact that there was indeed brutality by the Police on the President of Nigerian Labour Congress, while participating in the political campaign process as a citizen of Imo.
Sen. Adamu Alero (PDP-Kebbi), who seconded the motion said the Senate must intervene to protect the nation’s economy.
He said the intervention of the Senate would be timely, saying that the incident in Imo involving the alleged brutality of the NLC president in Imo was unfortunate.
On his part, Sen. Adams Oshiomole (APC-Edo) said his primary concern had always been Labour issues and condemned police brutality on Labour members.
He added that he had been a victim of police brutality as NLC leader.
He said the senate had the obligation to do everything possible to bring amicable solution to the current labour issues.
He urged the Senate to prevail on Federal and State Governments to implement the agreement reached with NLC and TUC, especially prevailing on state governments to pay the N35,000 wage award
