The Nigeria Labour Congress President, Joe Ajaero, has said the struggle for better welfare for Nigerian workers would continue despite the police invitation.
Joe Ajero said he is committed to dying for the labour movement if need be. He stated that the labour movement remained the only patriotic and biggest pan-Nigerian organization in the country.
Speaking to NLC members and other affiliate unions that gathered at the Labour House in Abuja, on Thursday, after visiting the police for interrogation on alleged terrorism charges, Ajaero emphasized that he was used to intimidation of labour unions by authorities.
He said, “The Labour movement is worth dying for because of the patriotism and commitment. Labour movement is one of the biggest pan Nigeria organizations. Our patriotism from the days of colonial government till even the period of the military is unshakeable.
“We are more patriotic than any organization you can think of in this country, and we are going to continue to be that. We have gone there and we are back. I just want to confirm to you that as a citizen, I’ve gone there and we are back here. You can’t do this job we are doing without this type of hazard. It’s expected.
“And for those of you who call me, I told them that this is the hazard of the job. So comrades, even at the unit level, some of us experience this.”
The NLC President regretted that both federal and state governments have yet to commence implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage. He announced that the next struggle of organized labour would be to force the government to start implementing the minimum wage for workers.
“Whatever the case, we are out to continue the struggle. We are out. We have gotten the minimum wage, but it has not been implemented. So we have to press for its implementation as soon as possible.
“Anything that will make the welfare of the Nigerian worker to be worthwhile, we will be involved in it. We will not listen to any distraction. On behalf of the NLC and the level of solidarity you showed here, I want to thank every one of you,” Ajaero told the crowd of supporters.
