The Nigerian Government has called on organised labour not to embark on their planned strike but respect the June 5 order issued to it by the National Industrial Court.
The court had in an order, restrained the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) from embarking on any industrial action over fuel subsidy removal among other issues.
This is contained in a letter by Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi to Labour unions.
Fagbemi said; “the planned indefinite strike expected to begin on October 3rd, 2023 was a violation of the subsisting order and a different disregard to the dignity and integrity of the Court.”
The Attorney General advised the Senior Advocate of Nigeria Mr. Femi Falana to prevail on his clients to respect the order of the court and allow room for ongoing negotiations between parties on how to address the challenges associated with the fuel subsidy removal.
Fagbemi emphasized that, from the communique issued by the NLC after its National Executive Council meeting on August 31 and the September 26 joint communique by the Presidents of the NLC and TUC, “it was obvious that the proposed strike action is premised principally in furtherance of issues connected with the removal of fuel subsidy, hike in fuel price and consequential matters of making provisions for palliatives and workers welfare.”
He said that “a court order, regardless of the opinion of any party on it, remains binding and enforceable until set aside.
“The foregoing will afford parties more room for further mutual engagements, for a holistic and sustainable resolution of all outstanding issues on this matter in the overall national interest.”
The Presidents of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo, had on Tuesday 26th, announced nationwide indefinite strike action begging on 3rd October 2023.
They said the action became necessary after exhausting all avenues to bring the government to the negotiating table to address the demands of workers.
A five-point communiqué after their meetings with their various organs, said that “the National Executive Councils (NEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) in their various meetings deeply analysed the current situation in the country, taking into cognisance the extensive hardships and deprivation afflicting our citizens across all States of the federation unanimously condemned the apparent conscious lethargy and tardiness in handling the consequences of its Petrol Price hike on Nigerians.”
Mercy Chukwudiebere
