After two days of Industrial action, the Joint National Executive Council, NEC, meeting of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, have called off the ongoing strike over the rough-handling of the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, allegedly by the police in Imo state among other issues with the labour union. Accordingly, the industrial action was suspended following the intervention of the Federal Government through the Office of the National Security Adviser, NSA.
Recall that the Federal Government had invited leaders of the NLC and the TUC for a meeting over the ongoing nationwide strike, the meeting where the NSA represented the federal government.
The NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu had earlier appealed to the organised labour to retract their steps in the interest of the country.
Ribadu said, those who assaulted the NLC president, Joe Ajaero had been arrested and are undergoing investigation.
During the meeting, personalities like, Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, Minister of State, Nkeiruka Onyeajeocha and National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, were all in attendance.
Meanwhile, the organized labour delegation was led by TUC President, Festus Osifo, NLC Secretary General, Emmanuel Ugboaja and other labour leaders.
Shortly after the meeting, the NLC through a statement said, the labour unions have reached a resolution to suspend the ongoing nationwide strike.
According to the statement, the suspension was intended to facilitate further discussions after the federal government had met l demands put forward by the labour to address the distressing abduction and brutalization of the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and others.
The statement partly reads; “These incidents occurred at the hands of the Police and Governor Hope Uzodimma’s thugs in Owerri, Imo state, on the 1st day of November, 2023.
“An apology was tendered on behalf of the government by The NSA, who promised to coordinate the investigation.
“Some of the perpetrators have been arrested, and we were given High assurances that all others will be fished out and prosecuted,” the statement noted.
“High-powered investigation is currently being carried out and the leadership of the labour centers will be briefed continuously as progress is being,made,” said the statement jointly signed on Wednesday evening by the NLC General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, and TUC Secretary General, Nuhu Toro.