The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has directed its affiliates to comply with the nationwide strike that kicked off at midnight, November 14.

The National Secretary of the NLC, Emmanuel Ugboaja, and the Secretary General of the Trade Union Congress, Nuhu Toro, jointly signed the letter to the affiliates.

The statement:

“In furtherance to the decision of the Joint National Executive Council of NLC and TUC, all workers in Nigeria are hereby directed to withdraw their services effective 12 midnight today, November 13, 2023. Consequently, all affiliates and state councils of NLC/TUC are directed to issue circulars for maximum compliance, and these circulars can be made available to the National Secretariats or posted to the NEC and WC Whatsapp platforms.

“While we shall update you with developments as they unfold, do remain assured of our commitment to Nigerian workers and people.”

Some of the labour affiliates include the Academic Staff Union of Universities, the National Union of Electricity Employees, the Nigeria Union of Teachers, the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics.

The purpose of the strike is to express disapproval for the beating that NLC President Joe Ajaero and a few other congress executives suffered on November 1 in Owerri, Imo State, as well as the ongoing labour disputes in the state.