The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has criticised the government’s handling of the ongoing nationwide protests against economic hardship, News About Nigeria reports.
The union said it was concerned over the suppression of citizens’ rights and the use of force against demonstrators.
In a statement issued after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, the NLC condemned the government for failing to address the root causes of the protests and for resorting to violent crackdowns instead of constructive dialogue.
The NLC expressed its support for the protests, which have been widely referred to as the #EndBadGovernance movement, and urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to take immediate steps to reverse the policies that have led to widespread economic suffering.
The union also demanded accountability for the deaths of protesters, calling for an independent investigation into the killings and for those responsible to be brought to justice.
The statement from the NLC stated that the government’s approach to quelling the protests—through threats and the deployment of security forces—was misguided and counterproductive.
The union warned that such actions would only deepen the public’s discontent and could lead to further unrest.
“The NEC is deeply troubled by the government’s high-handed and mismanaged response to the peaceful #EndBadGovernance protests,” the NLC stated.
“Instead of addressing the legitimate grievances of the people, the government has resorted to violence, resulting in the killing and maiming of several civilians by the police in many parts of the country.”
The NLC also criticised the government’s attempt to criminalise the protests and condemned the use of sponsored thugs to disrupt demonstrations.
The union called for immediate relief measures to alleviate the suffering of workers and the general populace, including subsidies on essential commodities and the provision of direct food aid.
Additionally, the NLC took issue with what it described as the government’s “politically motivated meddling” in the affairs of the union, particularly through the actions of the Minister of Labour and the Registrar of Trade Unions.
The union warned that any further interference could lead to industrial action.
In response to the ongoing crisis, the NLC announced plans to observe a National Day of Mourning in honour of those who lost their lives during the protests.
The NLC concluded by urging the government to engage in meaningful dialogue with the protesters and other stakeholders to resolve the issues at hand, warning that failure to do so could compel the union to direct its members to stay home for their safety.
