TRADE union organization from across the African continent continue to send solidarity messages in support of the struggle by Nigeria Labour Congress in the resistance against mass sack of workers in Kaduna State public service.
The trade unions are also united in their condemnation of the state-sponsored violence and repression orchestrated by the Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai last Tuesday.
Messages of condemnation of Tuesday’s violence against protesters and solidarity messages to NLC have been received by the NLC from the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), the Botswana Federation of Trade Unions (BFTU) and the Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU).
Earlier, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), of which Comrade Wabba currently leads as President, and the African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa), also expressed similar sentiments on the tyranny and violence against workers in Governor el-Rufai-led administration of Kaduna State.
In it message, the ZCTU, condemned in strong terms the Kaduna violence describing it as a “reign of industrial tyranny and impunity by the Kaduna State Governor.”
ZCTU, in its letter, dated May 19, 2021 and signed by ZCTU’s Secretary General, Comrade Japhet Moyo, said it is firmly in solidarity and in support of the protests by Nigerian workers, just as it also called on those in authority to stop harassing Nigerian workers and their leadership.
On its part, the Botswana Federation of Trade Unions (BFTU) said it “joins a chorus of concerned fellow compatriots and labour movement in condemning the arbitrary manner in which the Governor of the State of Kaduna, Mr Nasir El-Rufai, has opted to handle the unarmed protest of workers demanding better working conditions.”
BFTU in its message signed by its Secretary General, Comrade Thusang Butale, said it finds the allegations of police brutality disturbing “considering that the workers reportedly carried no weapons nor did they engage in any conduct that should have enraged the State to use or sanction force against them.”
The BFTU continued: “Furthermore, we note the legitimate demands of the protesters to have vast majority of public servants maintained in the payroll, the school fees to be made affordable as well as for the payment of redundancy benefits amounting to over 60% for workers sacked by the State of Kaduna. A refusal to address those basic demands as our compatriots’ fear can only result in the exacerbation of pockets of poverty.
“Against that background we posit that constructive engagement rather than brutality is the ideal route to a lasting resolution of the current stalemate between workers and the State of Kaduna. Any other approach runs the risk of compounding problems than solve them.
“It is our considered view and the universal gospel fact that all democratically elected leaderships around the world recognize that industrial action or the strike is the ultimate recourse for the working class and a legitimate bargaining tool that should elicit positive rather than abusive response.
For the Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU), in its solidarity letter signed by Comrade Omar Faruk Osman, FESTU’s General Secretary, it is “shocked and angry to learn of the recent violence inflicted upon innocent workers in Kaduna State, Nigeria, which was ordained and directed by the Governor of Kaduna State, Mr. Nasir El-Rufai.”
FESTU stated: “We stand in total and express unwavering solidarity with the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) on its stance to continue against workers’ oppression, intimidation and exploitation. We see these despicable actions as attempts to weaken the strong and vibrant movement that remains the Nigerian labour movement.
“These violent, state-sanctioned actions spell a flagrant disregard for the international and Nigerian labour laws that permitted NLC’s industrial actions planned for 16 May 2021. We support NLC’s action and anger over the obvious lack of consideration for workers, including the government’s decision to unilaterally dismiss 7,000 workers. We particularly applaud NLC for its unwavering determination to represent the working class and poor even in such conditions.
“FESTU, along with many other unions and union organisations in Africa and across the world, has noted with concern, the systematic oppression of peacefully protesting workers in Kaduna State. This goes against everything that labour movement has ever fought for and we join the chorus by trade unions that these actions by the Kaduna State Government must cease and cease now.
“The NLC’s peaceful protest should have been a clear demonstration to the Kaduna State Government that workers’ rights are indivisible, that workers are not dispensable and will no longer be exploited at the hands of a cruel and uncaring state regime. Yet, the protest became the site of unspeakable violence and intimidation, with hoodlums planted to instigate conflict and fear.
“FESTU joins in the calls for strong condemnation of the Kaduna government, in particular, the Governor, Mr El-Rufai. These actions are not going to abate on their own, especially as we anticipate that NLC, will, rightly, increase and maintain the pressure and calls for the upholding and championing of workers’ rights.
“We have no doubts that the spirit of the Nigerian workers will prevail, and their voices and demands will be heard all over the globe. However, we do fear for our working brothers and sisters in Kaduna State and any state-sanctioned backlash. We call on the Kaduna State government to listen to the concerns of workers and opt for peaceful and constructive means to address the burning issues at hand.
“FESTU supports the decision by The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) to report the situation to the 2021 International Labour Conference (ILC). Greater accountability, solidarity and collective stances in the face of labour rights violations in Kaduna State is central for change.”
