International human rights organization, Amnesty International, has condemned the recent actions of the Nigerian government, led by President Bola Tinubu, against the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its leaders.
According to Amnesty International, these actions are part of a broader strategy to cripple organized labour in the country.
In a statement titled “Nigeria: Targeting of NLC and its leaders aimed at crippling the union,” Amnesty International expressed deep concern over the Nigerian authorities’ latest attempts to intimidate and harass the NLC through threats of arrest against its President, Joe Ajaero. The organization urged the authorities to end this pattern of brazen impunity and respect the right of labour unions to agree or disagree with government policies.
“Under international human rights law and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, freedom of association is guaranteed, and workers cannot be targeted for participating in trade union activities. The Nigerian authorities have an obligation not only to respect the rights of workers but also to protect these rights from abuse,” Amnesty International stated.
The organization highlighted that the Tinubu-led government is unlawfully interfering with the functioning of an independent workers’ union. This interference includes recent incidents such as the police invitation to Joe Ajaero over allegations of terrorism, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony, which Amnesty International described as baseless and punitive.
Amnesty International noted that this is not an isolated incident but part of a growing trend. In November 2023, Joe Ajaero was beaten and blindfolded by police in collaboration with thugs sponsored by the Imo state government. No one was held accountable for the assault. Additionally, the Nigeria Police recently raided the NLC headquarters, seizing documents and books, forcing union leaders to go into hiding for safety reasons. The NLC leadership also faced threats and intimidation over a legitimate strike action in February.
“The Nigerian government is clearly and unlawfully interfering with the functioning of an independent workers’ union by targeting its leaders with baseless accusations that are gradually crippling the activities of the union. The organization urges the Nigerian authorities to immediately end this bizarre crackdown on the leaders of the nation’s labour union,” Amnesty International emphasized.
The NLC has also threatened an indefinite nationwide strike if any harm comes to their president or other union leaders, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the determination of the labour union to protect its rights
