The police have arrested Comrade Joe Ajaero, the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), at the ongoing Labour Union protest in Imo State.
The Herald recalls that the Labour Union had earlier made known its intention to cripple activities in Imo state to protest against attacks on workers who gathered peacefully to conduct the state delegates’ conference of the NLC.
His arrests come only hours after the Imo State government advised the NLC’s national leadership not to stir the fires of discord between it and state workers.
Joe Ajaero alleged that workers who gathered peacefully to conduct the state delegates’ conference of the NLC were attacked by sponsored thugs in conjunction with security agencies.
However, in light of this, the labour union on Tuesday resolved to shut down all transportation in Owerri, Imo State’s state capital, including air, land, and marine transports.
At the meeting on Tuesday, which was attended by all affiliate unions, the workers decided to shut down airport operations on Wednesday. The strike will also cover all sectors, including air, land, and sea.
The General Secretary of NUATE, Ocheme Aba, urged aviation workers at Owerri Airport to shut down all services in a letter addressed to the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
According to NLC President Joe Ajaero, the Hobbesian state of nature has become common, exposing not only state workers but also institutions and individuals to dread, violence, and intimidation in their daily activities.
The NLC also highlighted some of the state government’s wrongdoings against its workers, such as insincerity, deceit, and perfidy, as well as 20 months’ salary arrears owed to some workers.
In addition to not correctly implementing the national minimum wage, the government owes workers and pensioners almost 42 months’ worth of arrears, according to the union’s irate officials.