Amnesty International has condemned the allegations filed against the Nigeria Labour Congress’ (NLC) leader, Joe Ajaero by the Nigerian Police Force. Reacting to the allegations filed against Ajaero yesterday and the call for interrogation, Amnesty International, in a statement issued on its official X handle yesterday, described it as intimidation and harassment of the labour force......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
The Humanitarian group labelled the allegations by the NPF which include terrorism funding, cyber crime, and treasonable felony, as bizarre and ridiculous while recounting previous ordeals the labour union leader has faced in the hand of Nigeria authorities.
The statement read in part, “Amnesty International is deeply concerned by the Nigerian authorities’ fresh attempts to further intimidate and harass Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) through threats of arrest of its President Joe Ajaero. We urge the authorities to end this pattern of brazen impunity.
“Frequent and unprecedented targeting of NLC and its leaders is worrying sign of Nigerian government’s disregard for the right of workers to organize, bargain collectively and take industrial action.
“In Nov. last year, the President of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Mr. Joe Ajaero was beaten and blindfolded by the police @PoliceNG in connivance with thugs sponsored by Imo state government in Owerri. No one was held to account for the assault.
“Under international human rights law and standards, workers cannot be targeted for participating in trade union activities. The Nigerian authorities have an obligation not only to respect the rights of workers but also to protect these rights from abuse.
“Recently, Nigeria Police raided the headquarters of NLC and carted away documents and books. After the raid, labour leaders had to go into hiding for safety reasons. In February, the leadership of NLC cried out over threats and intimidation they faced over a strike action.
“The Nigerian authorities must end this bizarre crackdown on leaders of the nation’s labour union. The ridiculous accusations against NLC and its leadership are just punitive measures aimed solely at deterring and punishing them for standing up for workers rights.
“The Nigerian government is clearly and unlawfully interfering with the functioning of an independent workers union, by targeting its leaders with baseless accusations that are gradually crippling the activities of the union.”