"Democratic Space is Shrinking": Nigerian Labour Congress Calls on Workers to Fight for Human Rights Amidst Economic Hardship and Repression of Dissent.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has raised a serious alarm regarding the continuous shrinking of democratic space in the country, urging Nigerian workers to actively defend their fundamental human rights. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the NLC Rain School in Uyo, Comrade Joe Ajaero, the NLC President, highlighted that Nigeria is now ranked among the top ten countries globally with the worst forms of workers' rights violations. He stressed that there's an inverse relationship between democratic expansion and human rights abuse, noting that as democracy recedes, abuses tend to proliferate.
Ajaero criticized actions by some state governors and other authorities that he perceives as attempts to criminalize dissent and suppress collective action. He pointed out that when elected leaders arbitrarily restrict freedoms of speech, assembly, or even celebration, they are not merely targeting opposition voices but testing the limits of how far they can suppress public expression. According to the NLC, such actions undermine the very foundations of democracy and create an environment where workers' voices are stifled, and their rights are trampled upon.
The NLC's strong stance comes amidst persistent economic hardship across the nation, with many Nigerians struggling with the rising cost of living and inadequate wages. Comrade Ajaero reiterated the union's unwavering commitment to the fight for a decent National Minimum Wage, stating that while some progress has been made in the public sector, millions of workers in the private sector and parastatals are still earning "starvation wages." He demanded full compliance with the National Minimum Wage Act across all sectors, asserting that no worker in Nigeria should earn less than what is required to live in dignity.
The NLC's message is a call to action for workers to build their own power, not just to endorse political candidates, but to actively influence and dictate pro-worker policies. The union emphasizes the need for grassroots organization in factories, markets, and the informal economy, along with strategic alliances with civil society and student groups. This proactive approach, the NLC believes, is essential to resist anti-people policies and ensure that the collective struggles of Nigerian workers translate into tangible improvements in their lives and the overall expansion of democratic freedoms.
I'm Adedayo Obadina
Talksocialtalks
---
