The Nigeria Labour Congress has lashed out at Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume over his comments on the nationwide strike embarked upon by the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

Akume had, on Thursday, June 6, 2024, said the Organised Labour committed a treasonable offence by shutting down the national grid.

The unions, in the early hours of Monday, June 3, shut down the national grid in commencement of a nationwide strike, throwing the country into a blackout.

The labour embarked on the industrial action over a new minimum wage and hike in electricity tariff.

Condemning Akume’s comments, the NLC said treasonable felons and economic saboteurs were not labour leaders as ascribed by the SGF, but they are people who dress in “agbada” and move in a “convoy”.

The union said this in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Benson Upah, on Friday, June 7.

The NLC noted that the SGF’s characterisation of labour’s legitimate and constitutionally protected industrial action was not only deeply troubling but undermined the spirit of constructive dialogue necessary for resolving the ongoing issues.

It said: “The SGF we are sure clearly knows those whose actions are treasonable and sabotages our economy. Those who loot our treasury around the country, those who divert public resources meant for hospitals and schools; those who are involved in foreign exchange roundtripping; padding of budgets and inflating contracts including those who steal trillions of naira in the name of subsidy are the real economic saboteurs who commit treasonable felony.

Akume: Labour leaders committed treason by shutting down national grid

“These people are in costly agbada and drive in convoys all around the nation occupying the corridors of power and not innocent workers who are not slaves but chose to withdraw their services because of the inhuman treatment meted on them by the government.

“It is particularly disheartening that the SGF, a high-ranking government official, would make statements that trivialise the genuine grievances of Nigerian workers.

“His assertion that he cannot afford to pay each of his four drivers N100,000 monthly is a stark reminder of the disconnect between the government and the realities faced by ordinary Nigerians. Such statements do not contribute to the resolution of the issues at hand but rather exacerbate tensions.

“It is a clear demonstration that the SGF pays his personal staff starvation wages and may be telling us that he is a slave master. We may have to remind him that a 50kg bag of rice is N88,000 which leaves the worker with just N12,000 if he is to pay the paltry sum he claims that he is unable to pay.

“Anyway, one wonders what the SGF does with four drivers alone. We would also want to know what work justifies the huge salaries and allowances the SGF takes home all the time. Do we need to wonder too far why we are here as a nation when you have individuals with this mindset occupying sensitive positions in the corridors of power?

“We reject completely the unfortunate insinuations around the SGF’s remarks because strikes are not only legal but also a civic duty.

“The NLC wishes to remind the SGF that respectful and productive negotiations cannot occur under duress. The events of last week, where labour leaders were surrounded by military personnel during a negotiation exercise in the SGF’s office, were a clear violation of our rights and an intimidation tactic that has no place in a democratic society. We cannot and will not negotiate under such conditions which is what the SGF’s comments portend.”

While demanding an immediate retraction of the statement, the NLC enjoined Akume to take the ongoing negotiations for a new minimum wage more seriously and accord it with the needed respect.

The union added: “We call on the SGF to retract his regrettable statements and to approach the ongoing negotiation with the seriousness and respect it deserves.

“The path to resolving these issues lies in genuine dialogue and a commitment to addressing the legitimate concerns of Nigerian workers. We urge the government to engage with us in good faith, free from threats and intimidation.”

The Star