Trade union leader killed in Nigeria

http://www.ituc-csi.org/spip.php?article1736



Brussels, 16 January 2008: The ITUC has condemned the assassination of Alhaji Saula Saka, Lagos State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), a member of the ITUC-affiliated Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) .This brutal murder occurred on January 6 2008, when Alhaji Saka was shot repeatedly by four killers. According to his family, the assassination is clearly linked to his trade union activities and leadership.

“All trade unionist have the right to work and operate freely and with all the security needed”, said Guy Ryder, ITUC General Secretary. “The Nigerian authorities must ensure that trade union rights are fully respected in the country, in line with its obligations under ILO Convention 87”

In a letter sent to the authorities the ITUC urges Nigeria’s Government to launch a thorough and independent investigation into the murder of Alhaji Saula Saka, to find the authors and bring them to justice.

The ITUC represents 168 million workers in 156 countries and territories and has 311 national affiliates.

For more information, please contact the ITUC Press Department on: +32 2 224 0204 or +32 476 621 018