Lagos slams Labour Unions over broadcast shutdown, orders workers back to work
Lagos Media workers projected on Monday, Photo: Idowu Otegbola
Published By: Kazeem Ugbodaga
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
In a dramatic turn of events, the Lagos State Government has ordered striking workers of Lagos Television (LTV), Radio Lagos/Eko FM, and Lagos Traffic Radio to resume duties immediately.
This directive, issued late Monday night by the Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Afolabi Ayantayo, comes amidst mounting tension between the government and labour unions.
The government accused the unions, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers’ Union (RATTAWU), and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), of resorting to violence during their strike.
In what the government described as a “disturbing show of aggression,” it said union members tore down doors, disrupted operations, and forcibly switched off transmitters at the three broadcast stations.
“The actions of the unions violate the rights of workers on essential duty and disrupt the vital services these stations provide to the public,” Ayantayo said in a strongly-worded statement.
The strike was sparked by demands for the inclusion of approximately 245 workers on the government’s payroll.
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The government maintained that discussions to address these demands were already underway, with a meeting held on January 8 between the unions and officials led by Ayantayo.
Despite the ongoing dialogue, he said the unions reportedly escalated their actions, forcing staff out of the premises and halting broadcasts, plunging the stations into silence.
The Government warned union leaders against intimidating workers who wish to perform their lawful duties.
“A strike is not an excuse for violence or attacks on public facilities,” the statement read, emphasizing that the government is committed to addressing the workers’ concerns through dialogue.
Workers have been urged to return to their posts on Tuesday, with assurances of their safety and a call to avoid confrontations with union members.
