The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a stark rebuke of the Federal Government's handling of the #EndBadGovernance protests, demanding an immediate reversal of economic policies that have exacerbated the country's financial instability.
Following an emergency meeting on Wednesday, the National Executive Council (NEC) of the NLC evaluated the detrimental impact of these policies on the Nigerian workforce and the general populace.
A communique signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero and General Secretary Emmanuel Ugboaja voiced significant alarm over the government's approach to the protests, which erupted on August 1, 2024. Sparked by widespread discontent over economic mismanagement, the protests have been violently suppressed, resulting in numerous injuries and deaths among civilians.
"The NEC is deeply troubled by the government's high-handed and mismanaged response to the peaceful #EndBadGovernance protests. Instead of addressing the legitimate and fundamental grievances of the people, the government has resorted to violence," the communique stated.
The NLC criticized the government's economic strategies, heavily influenced by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), labeling them as "anti-poor." The union had previously cautioned that such policies would increase hardship for the Nigerian people, but their warnings were dismissed.
The NEC also condemned the misuse of treasonable felony charges against peaceful protesters. "The continuous trivialization of treasonable felony by Government operatives abuses and makes a mockery of it as a high crime against the state," the communique said.
In its response to the crisis, the NLC set forth several key demands. Among them was an immediate reversal of the government's current economic policies and the implementation of relief measures to alleviate the suffering of the population.
The NLC also called for a National Day of Mourning to honor those who have died during the protests and demanded an independent investigation into the violence against demonstrators.
Additionally, the NEC urged the federal government to engage in meaningful dialogue with representatives of the protesters, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to resolve the ongoing crisis. The NLC warned that failure to meet these demands could compel the union to direct its members to stay home for their safety.
"The NEC-in-session urges the federal government to engage in meaningful dialogue with representatives of the protesters, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders to resolve all the issues at stake to end the national carnage. This is to avoid NLC being compelled to direct its members to stay home for the safety of their lives," the communique said.
The NEC also voiced strong disapproval of government interference in the NLC's internal affairs, particularly actions by the Minister of Labour and the Registrar of Trade Unions. The communique called for the immediate withdrawal of a "politically motivated" letter sent to the NLC by the Registrar of Trade Unions.
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