By Richard Akintade, Osogbo
Local government workers across Osun State have defied a directive to resume duties at council secretariats, in a bold show of solidarity with the Joint Labour Movement and in protest against alleged threats and intimidation targeting union leaders.
Organized labour comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and Joint Negotiation Council (JNC) in a strongly worded statement condemned what it described as “evil intentions” and “ongoing witch-hunting” of trade union leaders in the state.
Signed by Comrade (Dr) Christopher A. Arapasopo (mpi), Chairperson of the NLC; Comrade ‘Bimbo Fasasi, Chairman of the TUC; and Comrade Lekan Adediran, Chairman of the JNPSNC, the statement called on security agencies to guarantee the safety of workers and labour leaders, warning that any attempt to harass or humiliate union officials would be met with fierce resistance.
The unions rejected attempts to compel workers to resume duties at local government secretariats, citing unsafe conditions and unresolved leadership disputes.
The statement said, the planned molestation, humiliation, and arrest of some labour leaders within the state was viewed as “a calculated attempt to weaken and destabilize the labour movement.
“We will not sit idly by while the rights and freedoms of our members are trampled upon with impunity by agencies that ought to enforce the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We will not hesitate to take all necessary industrial actions to protect the integrity and independence of the labour movement “.
Reaffirming its commitment to defending the rights and interests of workers and the masses, the Joint Labour Movement said it would not be cowed or intimidated by desperate efforts to silence the voice of labour in the state, saying, “We stand firm in our resolve to uphold justice, fairness, and the rule of law in our beloved state”, the statement concluded.
Reports from across the 30 local government and Area Council of Osun State, indicated that local government workers yesterday shunned directives to resume work by the factional group known as, Concerned Local Government Workers Association.
Checks across the state confirmed that the entire local government workers rejected the group entirely by continue to stay at home.
