NLC threatens another strike; accuse El-Rufai of refusing to honour agreement

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened to commence a fresh nationwide strike over non-implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Kaduna State Government.

The NLC sounded the warning in a petition to President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Abuja.

The letter signed by NLC President Ayuba Wabba reads: “Your Excellency, Mr President, may recall that the first conciliatory meeting between the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Kaduna State Government took place on May 20, 2021.

”A major outcome of that meeting was a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU} signed by the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Kaduna State Government.

”The MoU specifically provided that there should be no further victimisation and harassment of workers and trade union leaders in the state, especially workers who participated in the warning strike.

”The Nigeria Labour Congress was also expected to maintain the suspension of the strike action while negotiations continued.

”To our greatest surprise, after signing the MoU with workers, the Kaduna State Government has gone ahead to impugn all the clauses in the agreement freely entered with the Nigeria Labour Congress.”

Mr Wabba said that some of the violations by the Kaduna State Government included the refusal of the state government to honour/respect the MoU signed at a meeting brokered by the Minister of Labour and Employment..

He also noted that others were the continuous violation of workers’ rights as provided in our labour laws, punitive transfer of the State Chairperson of the NLC.

He also said workers’ victimisation by sack for participating in the warning strike and violation of the “no victimisation” clause in the signed agreement.

”Non-adherence and respect for the rule of law,” he added.

”Your Excellency, Mr President, the National Executive Council (NEC) of the NLC on May 25, resolved that in case the Kaduna State Government remain adamant and recalcitrant or continues to pursue the path of war, threat and punitive actions against workers and their interests.

”That it had given the National Administrative Council (NAC) the power to re-activate the suspended industrial action in Kaduna State and also call for the withdrawal of all workers in Nigeria without any further notice,” the petition read in part.

The NLC on May 17, embarked on a five-day warning strike over the sack of thousands of workers in the public service by Kaduna State Government.

However, following the federal government intervention, the industrial action was called off after three days and an MoU was signed between the parties on May 20.

The NLC grievances include alleged retrenchment of workers by the Kaduna State Government, compulsory retirement of workers on Grade Level 14 and above.