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NLC, civil society protest against killing of workers in Nasarawa

By Collins Olayinka, Abuja
23 August 2016   |   2:08 am
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) wills this morning (Tuesday), stage a protest against the killing of two workers in Nasarawa State, during a protest by the Police.

NLC

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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) wills this morning (Tuesday), stage a protest against the killing of two workers in Nasarawa State, during a protest by the Police.

According to a communiqué issued at the end of its emergency Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting, NLC reviewed the state of the nation notably the challenges in the economy; non-payment of salaries and pensions as when due. Others are disobedience to the court order that electricity tariffs be reviewed downward and attempt by oil marketers to increase the pump price of petroleum products.

The meeting also examined the systematic attacks on workers’ rights across the states especially in Nassarawa State, where two workers were killed and several others injured and an attempted cover-up; legislating new working days in Imo State in contravention of Nigerian labour laws and ILO conventions.

The central labour centre declared today (Tuesday) 23rd August 2016, national day of mourning in honour of the dead and injured workers in Nassarawa State.

It also said today would be set aside by Nigerian workers and their civil society allies from across the country to the Nasarawa State capital, Lafia, to peacefully protest against the illegal actions, impunity and alleged murderous schemes of Governor Tanko Al-Makura.

The communiqué noted that the protest in Nasarawa was informed by the long-standing dispute between the workers and the state government for systematically attacking workers’ rights such as unilaterally reviewing downward workers salaries in Nasarawa State and systematic sacking of workers under the guise of ghost workers.

While wondering why the state government would unleash mayhem on the protesting workers, the CWC-in-session declared that the right to protest is guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution, Labour Legislations and ILO Conventions to which Nigeria is a signatory.

The CWC-in-session described the shooting as barbaric, tragic and saddening; noting that the absence of remorse by the Nassarawa Police Command or the Nassarawa state Governor shows it was a premeditated action.

CWC-in-session also alleged that the mindless violence unleashed on workers is part of a calculated attempt by some Governors to silence lawful and peaceful protests against their acts of impunity, unlawful and criminal conduct and will be resisted by workers with everything workers have.

The meeting noted that that there have been systematic and coordinated attacks on the rights of workers in some states.

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