The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has elucidated the rationale behind the decision of workers in the electricity sector to halt operations of the national grid.
In a statement provided to the press, NLC President Joe Ajaero criticized the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) for alleging that NLC’s monitoring and compliance team had assaulted workers at TCN facilities.
TCN had earlier declared a complete shutdown of Nigeria’s power grid due to the ongoing strike by labour unions. The NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) commenced a nationwide industrial action in protest against the Federal Government’s proposal for a N60,000 minimum wage.
Responding to TCN’s assertion that the grid shutdown was orchestrated by workers, NLC refuted any attempts to intimidate Nigerian workers through false narratives. Instead, NLC emphasized the legitimate right of workers to participate in the nationwide strike, which seeks to address critical issues such as the minimum wage and the hike in electricity tariffs.
NLC rebuffed TCN’s attempt to isolate the issue as solely a TCN concern, highlighting that various organizations are impacted by the nationwide strike. Moreover, NLC emphasized that the strike was a result of the government’s failure to address workers’ demands regarding the minimum wage negotiation process and the electricity tariff hike.
Regarding TCN’s allegation of worker misconduct, NLC clarified that there was no basis for such claims and criticized TCN’s attempts to coerce workers into resuming operations.
The organization underscored the fundamental role of workers in sustaining essential services and emphasized that the grid shutdown was a consequence of workers’ collective decision to withdraw their labor.
Furthermore, NLC condemned TCN’s resort to military intervention to suppress the strike, viewing it as an abuse of power and an affront to democratic principles. NLC reiterated its commitment to championing the rights of Nigerian workers and called for solidarity in demanding policies that prioritize the welfare of the populace.
NLC affirmed its determination to continue advocating for fair wages and the reversal of unjust policies, denouncing any attempts at coercion, intimidation, or harassment.
