The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have jointly instructed all workers in Nigeria to commence a nationwide strike from midnight yesterday, November 13, 2023. This decision, arising from the Joint National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of NLC and TUC, was communicated in a joint statement on Monday, urging workers to withdraw their services starting at 12:00 midnight on November 13.
The unions stated, “In furtherance to the decision of the Joint National Executive Council (NEC) of NLC and TUC, all workers in Nigeria are hereby directed to withdraw their services effective 12:00 midnight, 13th November 2023.”
Despite a restraining order issued by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria the previous week, prohibiting the commencement of the scheduled strike on Tuesday, November 14, the unions have proceeded with their directive. The court had directed the labour unions to halt their industrial action.
This move follows earlier calls by the NLC for a state-wide strike in Imo State starting November 1, protesting against alleged persistent violations of workers’ rights by the state government. The NLC had cited the government’s failure to honor agreements and described it as a “habitual and serial breaker of these agreements.”
The nationwide strike directive comes amid heightened tensions, including reported attacks on NLC members earlier this month during a planned protest in Imo State.
