The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have firmly rejected the claims made by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) regarding the ongoing indefinite nationwide strike.
In a strongly worded statement, the NLC categorically stated that Nigerian workers “will not be intimidated by the management of any organization or government entity” over their decision to withdraw services through the strike action, which commenced earlier today.
The labor unions accused TCN of “spreading outright falsehood to mislead the public” instead of working with stakeholders to resolve the issues raised by Nigerian workers. These issues include the incomplete negotiations on the National Minimum Wage and the refusal to reverse the increase in electricity tariffs.
The NLC and TUC noted that the impact of the nationwide strike is not limited to TCN, as other organizations are also experiencing service disruptions. They criticized TCN for not taking proactive steps to urge the government to address the workers’ demands, stating that the company’s management “is not deeply worried about the plight of Nigerian workers.”
Addressing TCN’s claims, the labor unions refuted the allegation that any worker was “manhandled” and accused the company of attempting to “force workers to be at work” despite the workers’ resolve to participate in the strike.
The NLC and TUC warned that the deployment of the military by TCN to its facilities is “a clear abuse and insult on the military” and that the company’s management would be held liable for any injuries inflicted on workers.
Reaffirming their commitment to the struggle for a fair living wage and the reversal of the electricity tariff hike, the unions called on all Nigerians to stand in solidarity with them and join the nationwide industrial action. They vowed to persist in their demands, stating that they will not “back down” or “give in to any blackmail, intimidation or harassment.”