Global Labour Unions Condemn Alleged Persecution of Nigerian Labour Leaders, Plan Protests

International labour unions, including the International Trade Union Conference (ITUC) and Public Service International (PSI), have expressed deep concerns over the alleged persecution of trade unions and labour leaders in Nigeria, particularly Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). The unions accuse Nigerian authorities of human rights abuses and intimidation against labour leaders, prompting discussions of a global “day of rage” protest.

According to sources within international labour circles, protests are expected to take place in major global capitals before the end of September, aiming to draw attention to what they describe as escalating harassment of Nigerian union leaders. A European labour leader stated, “We are certainly becoming very uncomfortable and concerned about the happenings in Nigeria… If the situation is not addressed now, smaller countries, especially the sub-Saharan region, may copy from the bad precedence Nigeria is setting.”

ITUC Petitions President Tinubu

ITUC, representing 191 million workers across 167 countries, has petitioned President Bola Tinubu over the harassment of Joe Ajaero and other labour leaders by security forces. In a letter signed by ITUC General Secretary Luc Triangle, the organization condemned the arbitrary detention of Ajaero, emphasizing the importance of protecting trade union rights. The letter also mentioned the raid on NLC offices by security forces on August 7, 2024, which ITUC described as unjustified.

PSI and Other Unions React

PSI, representing over 700 trade unions globally, also expressed outrage over the harassment of Ajaero. PSI General Secretary Daniel Bertossa condemned the recent arrest and seizure of Ajaero’s passport by Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS), describing it as a dangerous threat to Nigeria’s democracy. Bertossa remarked, “Our global union movement is closely monitoring the ongoing harassment of Nigerian union leaders and will not accept this sort of intimidation.”

The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), through its General Secretary, Prince Peter Adeyemi, also criticized the government’s actions. Adeyemi, who also serves as PSI’s Vice President for Africa and the Arab world, called the arrest of Ajaero a “witch-hunt” and cautioned against the excessive use of state power to suppress dissent.