International labour unions, represented by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and Public Services International (PSI), have denounced the alleged rights abuses and persecution of trade unions and their leaders in Nigeria, particularly targeting Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
Sources reveal that global trade unions are organizing a “Day of Rage” to protest and highlight the escalating rights abuses, intimidation, and persecution of labour leaders in Nigeria. The protest, scheduled to occur before the end of September, will be held in major cities worldwide.
A European labour leader stated, “We are increasingly uneasy about the situation in Nigeria. The country, once a respected voice in the global labour movement, is now descending into a dangerous scenario. If not addressed, this could set a negative precedent for smaller nations, especially in the sub-Saharan region. We are planning a global protest to denounce and draw attention to the rising human rights abuses and attacks on labour leaders in Nigeria.”
ITUC PETITIONS TINUBU
The ITUC has petitioned President Bola Tinubu, seeking intervention regarding the alleged harassment of Ajaero and other labour leaders by security forces. Luc Triangle, ITUC’s General Secretary, stated in a letter: “On behalf of the ITUC, which represents 191 million workers across 167 countries, including Nigeria, we condemn the arbitrary arrest and detention of Joe Ajaero, NLC President. The ILO principle on Freedom of Association mandates that trade unionists should be free to participate in trade union activities. However, on August 7, 2024, security forces unjustifiably raided NLC offices, seizing materials and threatening democracy in Nigeria.”
PSI RESPONDS
Public Services International (PSI), a global federation of over 700 trade unions representing 30 million workers in 154 countries, has also condemned the treatment of Ajaero. PSI General Secretary Daniel Bertossa criticized the arrest and the seizure of Ajaero’s international passport, noting, “On September 9, 2024, Ajaero, also General Secretary of the PSI-affiliated National Union of Electricity Employees of Nigeria, was detained by DSS operatives while en route to meet Trade Union Congress colleagues in the UK. Our global union movement is closely monitoring this harassment and will not tolerate such intimidation.”
NASU’S STANCE
The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) also expressed concerns about the Nigerian government’s actions. General Secretary Prince Peter Adeyemi described Ajaero’s arrest as an “unnecessary witch-hunt” and an attempt to intimidate and harass trade union leaders. Adeyemi, also PSI’s Vice President for Africa and the Arab world, added, “Even under military rule, we did not see such excessive use of state power to intimidate labour leaders. The government should address its anti-worker policies rather than suppress dissent. Although Ajaero has been granted bail, the ongoing intimidation of activists and union leaders is causing global concern.”