Ajaero said it has become a habit for President Bola Tinubu’s administration to engage people who would attack the union whenever they protest. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero on Thursday revealed that the government of Bola Tinubu paid people to fight the union anytime they staged public demonstrations to demand better working conditions for workers....CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE
Ajaero said this when he appeared on a live programme on Channel TV which was monitored by SaharaReporters. The labour leader explained the challenges faced so far by the union in fighting for an increment in minimum wage and other related issues.
Ajaero said it has become a habit for President Bola Tinubu’s administration to engage people who would attack the union whenever they protest.
He said, “Government doesn’t like pressure. The current administration does not like pressure. If you equally come out to say we want a rally for you to realise where it is paining us, they will fight back.
“They will get people to attack you and call you all manner of names. They don’t want pressure.
“However, the pressure they are going to get is direct and commensurate with the pressure we are receiving because, in this situation, the labour leaders are at the centre of what is happening now.
“The workers are putting pressure on us, seriously. Some are even doubting whether we are genuine in this (struggle) or whether we are not working with the government on this.”
In February, SaharaReporters reported how the NLC started a two-day nationwide protest against hardship after meetings between government representatives and the NLC ended in a stalemate.
In last-minute efforts to prevent the protest, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, invited the labour leaders to his office.
Aside from the SGF, ministers of agriculture; budget and national planning; labour and employment; attorney general of the federation and minister of justice, the head of service of the federation, as well as the Director General of the Department of State Service (DSS), attended the meeting.
As the meeting progressed, the labour leaders took a break and held another meeting for consultation.
In the end, the strike went on for one day. The NLC decided not to continue the second day as earlier announced amid efforts made by the government to avert it.
