General News
Nationwide Labour Strike: Bank, Medical Staff Unions, and More Comply with Directive
By Iyojo Ameh
Affiliates of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) within Lagos State have initiated compliance with the call for an indefinite nationwide strike issued by the two major labour unions.
This compliance follows the resolution made during the National Executive Council meeting of the labour unions held on November 13, 2023, in Abuja.
The decision to embark on the strike was a response to the perceived negligence by the Federal Government in addressing crucial worker-related concerns, including issues surrounding the minimum wage, insecurity, corruption, and governance challenges.
The recent crisis in Imo, allegedly resulting in the mistreatment of NLC President Mr Joe Ajaero and other union members, exacerbated tensions.
Mr. Segun Esan, Secretary General of the Nigeria Union of Railway Workers, affirmed their involvement in the strike, leading to a complete halt in train operations. “All workers of Nigerian Railway are duty-bound to join the nationwide strike action from zero-zero hour of Tuesday, 14th November, 2023,” Esan declared, ensuring the closure of railway premises until directed otherwise.
Mr. Oluwole Olusoji, President of the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance, and Financial Institutions, confirmed advising members to comply while emphasizing the need to safeguard lives and property during the strike.
The compliance extended across various sectors, including the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE), the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP), Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), National Union of Food Beverage and Tobacco Employees, Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN), National Union of Electricity Employees, and the Nigeria Union of Railway Workers, as highlighted in circulars shared on social media by the NLC.
