Nigeria: ICFTU demands swift release of NLC leader

Press statement issued by the Congress of South African Trade Unions.

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INTERNATIONAL CONFEDERATION OF FREE TRADE UNIONS
(ICFTU)

Nigeria: ICFTU demands swift release of NLC leader

Brussels January 16, 2002 (ICFTU OnLine): The International
Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) reacted today with
outrage at the arbitrary arrest of the President of the Nigeria Labour
Congress (NLC), Adams OSHIOMHOLE. In a letter to ILO Director
General, Juan Somavia, the Brussels-based labour group strongly
condemned the arrest of the labour leader, incarcerated while
leading a nation-wide protest over a hike in petrol prices. The
Nigerian police later confirmed the arrest of Mr Oshiomhole.

Hundreds of protesters gathered this morning in the Nigerian
capital, Abuja, in front of government offices to demonstrate over at
the failure of negotiations with the Government on the 15.3%
increase of petrol prices and were met by a barrage of tear gas
from the Nigerian authorities. On Tuesday, the government called
the strike "illegal". The NLC however argued that it did not require a
21 day notice for national strikes, and therefore exercised its
legitimate right to conduct the strike.

"The NLC call for a national strike is perfectly legal. The right to
strike is an internationally-recognised right for all workers, including
for Nigerian men and women. The authorities should proceed with
the immediate release of Mr Oshiomhole along with the other
activists arrested this morning", said Bill Jordan, ICFTU General
Secretary.

"The ICFTU fully supports the call by the NLC for either a review of
the price hike or alternative measures which include repercussion
relief programs. The refusal by the government to apply any of the
NLC constructive proposals is intolerable!" continued Jordan.

In his letter to Mr Somavia, Bill Jordan requested him to intervene
promptly with the Nigerian President Olusegun Obananjo for the
immediate release of the trade unionists.

The ICFTU represents more than 157 million workers in 225
affiliated organisations in 148 countries and territories. ICFTU is
also a member of Global Unions: http://www.global-unions.org

For more information, please contact the ICFTU Press Department
on +32 2224 0232 or +32 476 62 10 18.

________________________
Louis Bélanger
Depart Press / Presse / Prensa
ICFTU / CISL / CIOSL
Tel: 32 2 224 0232
GSM: 32 4 76621018
[email protected]

Patrick Craven and Moloto Mothapo
Acting COSATU Spokespersons

[email protected]
082-821-7456
339-4911

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