NLC demands policy reversal, condemns govt’s response to #EndBadGovernance protests

The National Executive Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress has issued a strong condemnation of the Federal Government’s handling of the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests, calling for an immediate reversal of the policies that have plunged the nation into economic hardship.

The NEC convened an emergency meeting on Wednesday to assess the impact of these policies on Nigerian workers and the broader population.

In a communiqué signed by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and General Secretary Emmanuel Ugboaja, the NEC expressed deep concern over the government’s response to the mass protests, which began on August 1, 2024.

The protests, triggered by widespread discontent over the government’s economic policies, have been met with violence, resulting in the deaths and injuries of several civilians at the hands of the police.

“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 communiqué stated.

The NLC criticised the government’s decision to implement policies based on advice from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which it described as “anti-poor.” According to the statement, the labour union had previously warned that these policies would lead to severe hardship, but its concerns were dismissed by the government.

The NEC also condemned the government’s trivialisation of treasonable felony charges, which it argued were being used indiscriminately against peaceful protesters.

“The continuous trivialisation of treasonable felony by Government operatives abuses and makes a mockery of it as a high crime against the state,” the communiqué said.

In response to these issues, the NLC issued several resolutions, including a demand for the reversal of the government’s economic policies and the implementation of immediate relief measures to alleviate the suffering of workers and the general populace.

The NLC also called for a National Day of Mourning to honour those who lost their lives during the protests and demanded an independent investigation into the killings and maiming of protesters.

Furthermore, the NEC urged the federal government to engage in meaningful dialogue with representatives of the protesters, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders to resolve the ongoing crisis. The NLC warned that failure to do so 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 communiqué said.

The NEC also expressed strong disapproval of the government’s interference in the affairs of the NLC, particularly the actions of the Minister of Labour and the Registrar of Trade Unions.

The communiqué called for the immediate withdrawal of a “politically motivated” letter sent to the NLC by the Registrar of Trade Unions.