In response to the violent treatment of the NLC president, NUPENG will launch a nationwide strike.

In response to the barbaric assault on Nigeria Labour Congress President Joe Ajaero and other labour leaders by individuals believed to be acting on behalf of the government of Imo State, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has put its members on alert for a nationwide strike.

The NLC secretariat in Owerri was attacked and brutalised by suspected agents of the state, where Ajaero and other leaders of the NLC and its Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, as well as others, including some media, were present.

Thugs reportedly attacked protesters who had gathered at the NLC State secretariat to start the planned protest over outstanding labour issues, destroying vehicles, injuring protesters, and stealing their phones, cash, and ATM cards.

Protests against the Imo State government’s failure to pay workers’ wages and other benefits, as well as other grievances, kicked off today at the State Secretariat in Owerri.

The administration of Imo State is being accused of a number of faults, including a failure to follow earlier agreements, unpaid salary arrears, the unfair classification of workers as “ghost workers,” the destruction of the NLC state office, the use of discriminatory pay practises, and unpaid gratuity arrears.

Other examples include failing to pay the federally mandated minimum wage, intimidating and harassing trade union leaders, resorting to violence or thuggery, misusing union funds, labelling retirees as “ghosts,” engaging in widespread harassment and intimidation of the workforce, resisting social dialogue and collective bargaining, and interfering with workers’ democratic processes.

Prince Williams Akporeha, president of NUPENG, released a statement this evening in response to the arrest of Congress President Comrade Joe Ajaero and other labour leaders by agents of the Imo State Government, saying, “We condemn with the strongest term the arrest and brutalization of Comrade Joe Ajaero and other labour leaders.” Violence and savagery against labour leaders, workers, and others is unacceptable and must be condemned. This kind of attitude has no place in a civilised society like ours.

Workers in Imo State need to be set free. We are resolved to release the state workers since injury to one is to all.”