A global rights watchdog, Amnesty International, has condemned what it described as frequent, unprecedented and unlawful attacks, intimidations, and harassments of the leaders of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, by the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
The global body stated this in a statement on Monday while reacting to the Nigeria Police Force’s invitation of the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, over allegations of “criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime”.
The organisation, therefore, called on Mr Tinubu to end its pattern of brazen impunity and unlawful interference with the functioning of an independent workers union, by targeting its leaders with baseless accusations that are gradually crippling the activities of the union.
The statement read: “Amnesty International is deeply concerned by the Nigerian authorities’ fresh attempts to further intimidate and harass the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, through threats of arrest of its President, Joe Ajaero. We urge the authorities to end this pattern of brazen impunity.
“Frequent and unprecedented targeting of NLC and its leaders is a worrying sign of the Nigerian government’s disregard for the right of workers to organise, bargain collectively, and take industrial action.
“Amnesty International recalled in November 2023, Ajaero was beaten and blindfolded by the police “in connivance with thugs sponsored by the Imo state government in Owerri. No one was held to account for the assault.”
According to the group, under international human rights law and standards, workers cannot be targeted for participating in trade union activities.
“The Nigerian authorities have an obligation not only to respect the rights of workers but also to protect these rights from abuse.
“Recently, Nigerian police raided the headquarters of NLC and carted away documents and books.
“After the raid, labour leaders had to go into hiding for safety reasons. In February, the leadership of NLC cried out over threats and intimidation they faced over a strike action.
“The Nigerian authorities must end this bizarre crackdown on leaders of the nation’s labour union.
“The ridiculous accusations against NLC and its leadership are just punitive measures aimed solely at deterring and punishing them for standing up for worker rights.
“The Nigerian government is clearly and unlawfully interfering with the functioning of an independent workers union, by targeting its leaders with baseless accusations that are gradually crippling the activities of the union,” the statement added.
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