A Muslim group, the Association for Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria, AHUON, has called on the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, to suspend the ongoing nationwide strike because of its dire financial implications on Muslims who are currently embarking on this year’s holy journey.
AHUON said though it empathized with the workers in their quest to press for a better working condition, the timing of the industrial action was not unfavourable for the Nigerian Muslim community.
In a statement signed by the National President of AHUON, Abdulateef Ekundayo Yusuf, on Monday night in Abuja, the group, lamented that the strike was impacting negatively on one of the most fundamental pillars of Islam which is Hajj which is followed by Eid Kabir festival nationwide.
“The Association for Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHUON) understands the position of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to press for a better working condition for the Nigerian workers we as well feel the pains of all Nigerians at this trying period.
“However, we strongly feel the declaration and commencement of the nationwide strike action are ill-timed and unfavourable for the Nigerian Muslim community.
“We would like to call the attention of the Labour Congress to the impact of the strike on one of the most fundamental pillars of Islam which is Hajj which is followed by the Eid Kabir festival nationwide and the financial implications the strike will have on Muslims who have saved for years to embark on this holy journey.
“Additionally, the financial loss to our members will run into billions of naira having completed all necessary arrangements of accommodation, transportation, and feeding in both Mecca and Madinah, including issued tickets and visas for thousands of people (of which payments are non-refundable) who will be affected by disruption of both local and international flights operations.
“We hereby call on the leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress to please re-consider their stand on the timing of the strike action in the interest of Nigerian Muslims who form the majority of their membership until after Hajj to avert huge financial loss that will be borne by average Nigerian.
“We trust our plea will meet favourable consideration from the leadership of the two unions as they’re sensitive to our religious diversity”, the group said.
