The Oyo State chapters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have called on workers in the state to embark on a strike on Monday, November 6, over unmet demands and the recent police attack on the NLC National President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, in Imo State.

The unions made the call in a joint press statement signed by Comrade Kayode Martins (NLC Chairperson) and Comrade Bosun Olabiyi Agoro (TUC Chairman) on Friday.

The unions accused the state government of failing to address their demands, which include the implementation of the N35,000 minimum wage, payment of salary deduction arrears, and upward review of pensions.

The unions also condemned the police attack on Ajaero, describing it as “an affront to the fundamental rights and liberties of the Nigerian labour force and an alarming manifestation of the tyrannical tendencies displayed by some State Governments towards the labour movement.”

The statement partly read, “We, the Oyo State Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), stand united and strongly condemn in totality the recent attack on the National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress by the Nigerian Police in Imo State on Wednesday 2nd November 2023 by the hopeless Government of Hope Uzodinma and Police Force.”

“We view this egregious incident as an affront to the fundamental rights and liberties of the Nigerian labour force and an alarming manifestation of the tyrannical tendencies displayed by some State Governments towards the labour movement.”

The unions called on all workers in the state to gather at the NLC secretariat on Monday for a congress to further discuss the strike and other issues.

“After the expiration of the ultimatum served on the State Government who are yet to proffer lasting solution to our grievances, all workers should pick all their personal belongings from office on Friday 3rd November 2023 and pensioners in the state are to resume at NLC Secretariat Agodi Gate on Monday 6th November 2023 for the largest congress in the history of Oyo state for further directive,” the statement added.