Bank and electricity workers have expressed their support for the nationwide strike initiated by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).
The unions called for the strike, which commenced at midnight on November 14, to protest against the reported assault on Joe Ajaero, the President of the NLC, in Imo State on November 1.
During a press briefing on Monday, Festus Osifo, the President of TUC, declared that the strike would continue until “government at all levels wake up to their responsibilities.”
Ajaero was reportedly arrested by armed security operatives in Imo, although the Imo State Police Command claimed that he was taken into protective custody to prevent a potential mob attack.
Despite a restraining order issued by the National Industrial Court in Owerri on November 5 and a separate order obtained by the Federal Government to prohibit the unions from engaging in a strike, the NLC and TUC have remained firm in their position.
The NLC, through its Facebook page, shared circulars from various unions expressing their solidarity and commitment to the strike.
Several unions, including the National Union of Electricity Employees, Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN), National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE), Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP), National Union of Food Beverage and Tobacco Employees, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, and the Nigeria Union of Railway Workers, have pledged their support.
Other unions that have joined the strike include the National Union of Postal and Telecommunication Employees, the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), and the Nigeria Union of Local Government.
