The groups made this known in separate press releases on Wednesday, describing the incident as a threat to workers’ freedom in the country.
The Joint Action Front (JAF), Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM), Revolutionary Socialist Movement (RSM), and the Workers’ Rights Campaign have all condemned the arrest and ill-treatment of Nigeria Labour Congress President, Comrade Joe Ajaero in Imo State.
The groups made this known in separate press releases on Wednesday, describing the incident as a threat to workers’ freedom in the country.
JAF Secretary, Abiodun Aremu, in his statement, suggested that all civil organisations and concerned Nigerians should hold nationwide protests to express their displeasure over Joe Ajaero’s ordeals while he was leading workers’ protest in Imo on Wednesday morning.
The statement reads: “We, therefore, propose a one-day general strike and nationwide protest to register a strong statement against the arrest of comrade Ajaero, attack of democratic rights and inhuman treatment of workers in Imo State. Even if the NLC President is released, we strongly propose that the strike should still be held.”
According to Peluola Adewale, Organising Secretary, For the DSM, what Joe Ajaero faced is an indication that no one is beyond repression, not even the leader of the largest trade union movement in West Africa.
“We urge the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and all union affiliates as well as civil society organizations to immediately and swiftly condemn the arrest and demand the immediate release of Comrade Ajaero. “Most importantly, we urge for an immediate meeting of the labour movement for a democratic discussion about how to respond to this brazen assault as well as build a national mass movement against all anti-worker and anti-poor policies,” Adewale added.
“While we salute the courage of the Nigeria Union of Electricity Employees which has declared an indefinite general strike until the NLC president is released, we call for wider solidarity among other workers movement.
“To avoid future occurrences, all these struggles must be linked to fighting for a new minimum wage and payment of all outstanding arrears for workers and pensioners. Also, workers must be prepared to seize power and enthrone a socialist government because it is until the collective resources are put under the democratic control and management of the working people that all of the challenges facing Nigeria as a whole can be totally eradicated,” Salako Kayode, Publicity Secretary for RSM said.
Ayemhenre Kelvin, the National Coordinator for Workers’ Rights Campaign also demanded a massive protest to show workers are unhappy with how Ajaero was treated by hoodlums reportedly sponsored by the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma.
Ayemhenre wrote: “Organized labour and civil society organizations must collectively make it clear that such fascistic actions that have become the hallmark of governors like Mr Uzodimma will not be tolerated by organizing a nationwide strike action and mass protests,” he said.