The Public Service International (PSI) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have cautioned the Federal Government against the harassment of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero.
Reacting to the invasion, invitation, arrest, and subsequent seizure of the standard passport of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, the global union federation, which represents more than 700 trade unions and 30 million workers in 154 countries, noted that democracy is endangered in an atmosphere that does not allow for unfettered freedom of expression.
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The General Secretary of the body, Daniel Bertossa, condemned the government’s treatment of Ajaero.
Recall that on the 9th of September, 2024, Ajaero, who is also the General Secretary of the PSI-affiliated National Union of Electricity Employees of Nigeria, was arrested by operatives of the Department of State Service while on his way to the airport to meet with Trade Union Congress colleagues in the United Kingdom.
PSI stated that it is closely monitoring the government’s actions regarding its treatment of Nigerians who oppose some of the policies capable of deepening poverty and threatening existing jobs.
“Our message to the Nigerian Government is that our global union movement is closely monitoring the ongoing harassment of Nigerian union leaders and will not accept this sort of intimidation.
“Arrests of our comrades, such as Joe Ajaero, are damaging Nigeria’s international reputation.
“We call on the Government to respect international labour rights, release all unlawfully imprisoned unionists and members, and end this campaign of harassment,” he stated.
The General Secretary of NASU, Peter Adeyemi, added that the government’s actions toward labour leaders suggest intolerance of criticism and opposing views.
Adeyemi, who is also PSI’s Vice President representing Africa and the Arab region, said, “The arrest of Comrade Ajaero is not only an unnecessary witch hunt but a clear attempt by the Nigerian government to intimidate and harass trade union leaders.
“Even during the military regime, we did not witness this level of excessive use of state powers to intimidate and coerce labour leaders.”
He further noted that rather than suppress dissent, the government should address its anti-people policies to improve the situation for the downtrodden Nigerian workers.
He observed that while Ajaero has now been released on bail, the increasing intimidation of activists and union leaders is raising concerns worldwide.
PSI called on the working people of Nigeria, Africa, and the world to stand in solidarity against all forms of authoritarian regimes, attacks on trade unions and their leaders, and the citizenry.
Instead of harassing civil society leaders and unionists, governments should focus on serving the people by providing quality public services, good working conditions, and an economy where everyone can thrive.
The global leadership of Public Services International (PSI) said it would join hands with leaders in Africa and the Arab region, as well as the African Regional Organization of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa), in condemning the persistent harassment of union leaders.
PSI is prepared to raise this issue with international institutions, including the International Labour Organization.
