‘Respect divine devotion’ — NAHCON warns labour against disrupting hajj flights

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has asked organised labour not to disrupt the ongoing airlifting of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) grounded most sectors of the nation’s economy on June 3, with airports shuttered and the national grid turned off.

On Tuesday, the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja was still under lock and key.

In a statement, Fatima Usara, NAHCON’s assistant director of public affairs, said labour must respect the sensitivity of “this divine devotion and not encroach on its movement”.

Usara said the commission learnt that there is a plan to disrupt hajj operations.

“Information reaching NAHCON indicates that there are plans by a section of the NLC to disrupt the ongoing Hajj operations,” the director said.

“This is coming in spite of the initial understanding that Hajj flights would not be affected.

“The commission appreciates the concern of the NLC over the welfare of its members, however, NAHCON wants it to respect the sanctity of Hajj as a religious obligation which Muslims do not take lightly.

“The commission advises NLC to apply caution and not to tamper with the Hajj conveyance as a courtesy to the Muslim faith.

“Disruptive action against the smoothness of the operation will deprive intending Muslims their fundamental right to worship considering the limited time left before closure of Jeddah and Madinah airports for the pilgrimage.”

No fewer than 65,500 Nigerians are expected to perform the 2024 pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

NAHCON has so far transported 38,805 pilgrims in 92 flights.

Organised labour called for an indefinite nationwide strike over the government’s refusal to increase the minimum wage proposal from N60,000.

The federal government had initially proposed a minimum wage of N48,000, N54,000, and N60,000 — but labour has insisted on N615,500 and then N494,000.

On Monday, labour announced that it has reached an agreement with the federal government, but will return to “its organs” before calling off the strike.