From:Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
The National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN) has expressed dismay over the unwarranted and unprovoked attack, brutalization, abduction, and near murder of the President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero by the Nigeria Police Force and the paid criminal thugs of the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma on Wednesday November 1, 2023.
This was contained in a statement signed by John Adaji and Ali Baba, President and General Secretary of the Union respectively.
The mayhem according to the Union was unleashed on the workers and the NLC President while on peaceful protest against the serial and habitual abuse and violation of the rights of Imo State workers by the Imo State government.
NUTGTWN says it is particularly disturbed that this uncivilized action by the Imo State Governor and the Nigeria Police Force is taking place in a democracy that the organised labour fought for, not a military dictatorship.
“We reaffirm that workers under the Nigerian Constitution, African Charter of Human and Peoples Rights, and International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions particularly conventions 87 and 98 on the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining have the right to organise and engage in collective bargaining and social dialogue.
“ It is therefore strange that Governor Hope Uzodimma will repudiate the agreement in respect of payment of salaries and pensions reached in 2021.”
