Nationwide strike leads to closure of bank and electricity operations as workers join NLC and TUC

Workers from banks and electrical companies have joined the nationwide walkout planned by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

In reaction to the alleged attack on NLC President Joe Ajaero in Imo State on November 1, the unions declared a walkout that started at midnight on November 14.

At a press conference on Monday, TUC President Festus Osifo declared that the strike would continue until “government at all levels wake up to their responsibilities.”

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According to reports, armed security personnel in Imo detained Ajaero. The labour leader was placed under protective custody, according to the Imo State Police Command, in order to prevent a possible mob violence.

The National Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have not wavered in their positions in the face of a restraining order granted by the National Industrial Court in Owerri on November 5 and a separate order secured by the Federal Government that forbade the unions from going on strike.

The NLC posted circulars from several unions demonstrating their support and dedication to the strike on its Facebook page.

The Nigeria Union of Railway Workers, the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP), the National Union of Food Beverage and Tobacco Employees, the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN), the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE), the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, and the National Union of Electricity Employees are among the unions that have vowed their support.

The Nigeria Union of Local Government, the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), and the National Union of Postal and Telecommunication Employees are the others.