Mr. Joe Ajaero, the President of NLC, made this declaration on Thursday in Abuja during the second-day picketing of the Shaanxi Construction Company building site at the ECOWAS Headquarters.
The picketing action was initiated by the NLC in response to alleged unfair labor practices and the dehumanization of workers by the Chinese construction company. Tragically, the poor working conditions are believed to have resulted in the death of Mr. Austine Okunbor, a driver.
The NLC claims that the company has engaged workers on an ad-hoc basis without providing any conditions of service, welfare benefits, or medical services. In light of these grievances, some workers peacefully protested, leading to their subsequent arrest.
Ajaero emphasized that the detention allowance is intended to demonstrate support for union members who face harassment and arrest by security personnel during peaceful protests conducted in solidarity with mistreated workers.
“We urge all unions to start immediately because harassment and detention by security personnel is one of the hazards of the job.
“We need to retain this solidarity. It doesn’t matter how much, when a worker is detained because of his or her conviction, there is a need to support the person,” he said.
The NLC president said that the gesture would encourage more members to stand in solidarity with fellow workers who are enslaved and maltreated by employers.
He told employers to prioritise the welfare of its staff or face mass action by the union, adding that the use of force and threats to intimidate workers would be strongly resisted by the union.
Also, Mr Yakubu Dudu, Head, ECOWAS Unit, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who came to address the protesting workers, called for peace and calmness.
“I want to assure you that Nigerian workers’ interest will be protected,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Emma Ugboaja, NLC General Secretary, has announced that the Chinese company had agreed to the demands by the unions on the safety of workers at the construction site.
It also spelt out compensation for the widow of Austine Okunbor, he added.
