The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, (TUC), has planned to halt economic activities in Lagos State as parts of its protest against the ban on the operations of its affiliate union, the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria by the state government.
The National President of TUC, Festus Osifo, made this known during a press briefing in Abuja.
Osifo directed members to mobilise for a one-day protest on Monday in preparation for withdrawal of service, adding that all affiliate unions of TUC, are expected to join the action.
Osifo said all necessary tools of engagement for amicable resolution, including writing letters and holding meetings with the Lagos State government on the issue has been employed by TUC.
Adding that the RTEAN also went to court and got a judgment from the National Industrial Court which said the state government had no powers to proscribe a trade union legally registered by the Federal Government.
Osifo added that the state government refused to allow the union to operate, saying that TUC would utilise trade unionism powers to protest the ban on its affiliate union.
The labour leader also called on the Ministry of Labour and Employment, which has the power to register and deregister trade unions, to caution the Lagos State government.
He added, “It is against this backdrop that we said on September 4 that within two weeks, if the Lagos State government remains adamant in resolving the issue, we are going to carry out a protest and after the protest and there is no resolution in sight, there is going to be a total shutdown of Lagos State, because what the state government is doing against a legally registered trade union is not acceptable to us.
“In order for us to carry out a successful protest in Lagos on Monday, we informed the Director-General of the Department of State Services, the Inspector-General of Police, and the National Security Adviser. The reason is that we want them to provide us with adequate security and we have informed all our affiliates to proceed to Lagos next week.”
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress confirmed the release of the National President, Tajudeen Baruwa, General Secretary, Anthony Chukudi, , National Trustee, Olayi Odionnd and Principal Assistant Secretary, Abdulrasak Yemi.
