By Victor AhiumaYoung

International trade unions group under the auspices of Public Services International, PSI, has described the recent invasion of the Headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Abuja, by Police operatives as a violation of the rights of workers and the abuse of power against an independent institution like the NLC.

PSI is a Global Union Federation of more than 700 trade unions representing 30 million workers in 154 countries including Nigeria.

Recall that heavily armed Policemen and others in mufti had late Wednesday night, August 7, invaded Labour House ransacked both the Second and 10th floors offices including a bookshop and carted away several materials including books, computers, photocopiers, posters among other items claiming that the materials were used to incite and organise the recent protest.”

PSI in a statement by its General Secretary, Daniel Bertossa, among others said “Under the guise of a search for seditious materials purported to have been produced by the NLC for the End Bad Governance Protests led by citizens of Nigeria, especially the youth, the Nigeria police invaded the offices of the NLC and took hundreds of books and other publications belonging to the NLC. This is a violation of the rights of workers of the NLC and the abuse of power against an independent institution like the NLC.

“It is the right of the people of Nigeria to speak and demonstrate against continuous hardship and deteriorating economic livelihoods. This is enshrined in the Nigerian constitution and global human rights conventions and statutes which Nigeria subscribes to. We therefore call on the government to release anyone unjustly detained due to protests and guarantee the safety and security of all citizens, including workers and trade union leaders.

“PSI also supports the National Executive Council, NEC, of the NLC’s demand for an official apology, the return of books and other properties taken, an international inquiry into the matter, immediate withdrawal of the security forces from the premises of the NLC, and other demands for rebuilding the Nigerian economy, investing in the provision of quality public services, and ensuring peace and security.

“We also condemn previous incidences of harassment of the NLC president Comrade Joseph Ajaero and demand an end to the harassment of trade union leaders in Nigeria.

“We advise that the government should convene an inclusive stakeholders’ dialogue, a beacon of hope in these challenging times, to discuss the pressing issues confronting Nigeria and offer durable solutions to hunger, poverty, inflation, insecurity and widespread dissatisfaction with government policies.”