The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has strongly criticized the federal government for its economic policies, accusing it of betraying Nigerian workers through excessive taxation, tariff hikes, and failure to uphold agreements.
Speaking at the 6th Quadrennial Delegates Conference of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) in Lagos on Friday, Ajaero warned that workers would not remain silent in the face of increasing economic hardship.
He accused the government of neglecting its duty to regulate the economy fairly, prioritizing corporate interests over the well-being of ordinary Nigerians.
“We must resist any attempt to tax the Nigerian people to death,” Ajaero declared. “At a time when the minimum wage is not being properly implemented and federal civil servants are facing arbitrary salary cuts, we cannot remain silent. These actions are not only unjust but a betrayal of the social contract between the government and the people.”
Ajaero commended the outgoing MWUN leadership under Adewale Adeyanju for its efforts in strengthening the union and defending maritime workers’ rights. He urged the union to elect leaders committed to advancing workers’ interests, emphasizing that the new leadership must build on past achievements.
“The new leadership must take the union to greater heights and ensure that workers ultimately win,” he said.
He also warned against growing authoritarian tendencies in governance, stressing that the labour movement would not tolerate dictatorship or economic oppression.
“We must resist the concentration of power in the hands of a few and the systematic subversion of constitutional order,” Ajaero stated. “Dictatorship in any form is unacceptable. Political actors must operate within a democratic framework and prioritize the interests of the working class.”
Calling on Nigerian workers to remain vigilant and organized, Ajaero reassured them that the NLC would continue to push back against policies that undermine their welfare.
“Our struggle goes beyond the maritime sector or MWUN alone,” he said. “It is a fight for the soul of Nigeria—a fight for a nation where workers’ rights are respected, labour is fairly rewarded, and the welfare of all citizens is prioritized.”
As MWUN prepares to elect new leaders, Ajaero urged delegates to choose wisely, warning that the future of the labour movement depends on their decisions.
