The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has debunked reports that it has withdrawn from a planned national protest, stating that it was never involved in organizing the protest in the first place.
In a press release signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero, on Tuesday, the union clarified that it cannot withdraw from a protest it did not organize.
Ajaero emphasised that the NLC has its own internal mechanisms for deciding on industrial actions, including protests.
While the NLC is not involved in the planned protest, it expressed solidarity with Nigerians who are suffering due to harsh economic policies.
In his words, “The truth is that the Nigeria Labour Congress cannot withdraw from a protest that it did not organise. It is only the organisers of the speculated national protest that can decide to pull out or continue with the protest. The Nigeria Labour Congress has internal trade union mechanisms especially leadership decision-making processes that its industrial actions such as protests pass through before such activities are undertaken.
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“Yet, the fact that the Nigeria Labour Congress is not the body organising the protest does not mean that Organised Labour is oblivious of the dire living conditions Nigerians have been subjected to by the harsh economic policies of government. The Nigeria Labour Congress stands in solidarity with the Nigerian people in this very trying and excruciating times.”
The union called on President Bola Tinubu to engage in dialogue with the protest organizers and address their demands.
The NLC warned against using brute force to suppress the protests, instead urging the government to listen to the people’s grievances and take necessary action.
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