PSI condemns invasion of NLC premises

More condemnations have continued to trail the invasion of the premises of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) by security agents.

The latest condemnation comes from the Public Services International (PSI) which has flayed the invasion of the premises of the NLC by security agencies.

PSI is a global umbrella labour body for workers in the education, electricity and health sectors of the economy.

The General Secretary of the global labour body, Daniel Bertossa, who stated this via a statement, said it aligns itself with similar condemnations expressed by leaders in Africa and the Arab country region.

While flaying the unprovoked action by the Nigeria police, the PSI scribe said: “Under the guise of a search for seditious materials purported to have been produced by the NLC for the End Bad Governance Protests led by citizens of Nigeria, especially the youth, the Nigeria police invaded the offices of the NLC and took hundreds of books and other publications belonging to the NLC.”

The global labour body declared that the invasion was a violation of the rights of workers of the NLC and an abuse of power against an independent institution like the NLC.

It added that the right to speak and associate freely is a fundamental right to which the people of Nigeria are entitled, irrespective of political, religious, or social affiliations.

“It is the right of the people of Nigeria to speak and demonstrate against continuous hardship and deteriorating economic livelihoods. This is enshrined in the Nigerian constitution and global human rights conventions and statutes to which Nigeria subscribes.

We therefore call on the government to release anyone unjustly detained due to protests and guarantee the safety and security of all citizens, including workers and trade union leaders,” it stated.

The PSI also expressed its support for the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the NLC’s demand for an official apology, the return of books and other properties taken, an international inquiry into the matter, immediate withdrawal of the security forces from the premises of the NLC, and other demands for rebuilding the Nigerian economy, investing in the provision of quality public services, and ensuring peace and security.

The body added: “We also condemn previous incidences of harassment of the NLC president, Joseph Ajaero and demand an end to the harassment of trade union leaders in Nigeria.”

It charged the Nigerian government to convene an inclusive stakeholders’ dialogue, a beacon of hope in these challenging times, to discuss the pressing issues confronting Nigeria and offer durable solutions to hunger, poverty, inflation, insecurity and widespread dissatisfaction with government policies.