The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened to shut down the nation’s workforce if the Federal Government fails to withdraw the contempt charge filed against it before the Federal Ministry of Justice.
The National Industrial Court of Nigeria in Abuja had restrained the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) from embarking on a strike over the removal of fuel subsidy.
In a suit N0: NICN/ABJ/158/2023, the Federal Government (FG) obtained an order restraining the two unions from embarking on any form of strike.
Following the nationwide protest by the Labour Unions on Wednesday, the Federal Ministry of Justice had gone to court on the same day, to file a contempt charge against labour, the NLC and TUC for embarking on strike.
The decision was made during its National Executive Council meeting held in Abuja on Thursday, according to a statement signed by the National President, Joe Ajaero and the National Secretary Emanuel Ugboaja, barely 24 hours after triking a mutual understanding with President Bola Tinubu that aborted the nationwide protest by the Organised Labour.
NLC warned it will go on a nationwide strike it termed ‘nationwide comprehensive strike’ from August 14; any day labour leaders are summoned to Court by the government through the NICN.
They accused the Ministry of Justice and the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) of allowing themselves to be used as “anti-democracy” agents.
Some of the highlights of the resolutions of the union stated “To commit to maintaining the required vigilance needed to hold government accountable on its assurances and governance in general; to commit to the terminal date of August 19th 2023 within which the issues around the Petroleum price hike will be agreed given the assurances of the President and the National Assembly.”
The Union therefore demanded the immediate withdrawal of alleged litigious terrorism by the Federal Ministry of Justice before the end of work on Friday, August 11.
“To go on total strike across the country any day labour leaders are summoned to Court by the government through the NICN; to demand the immediate withdrawal of this litigious terrorism by the Federal Ministry of Justice before the end of work Friday, the 11th of August, 2023.
“To embark on a nationwide comprehensive strike beginning Monday 14th of August, 2023 if this contemptuous Court summons is not withdrawn by whosoever initiated it.”
Addressing the situation, TUC president, Festus Osifo, said the government has promised that plans are in place to address the grievances of Labour within next week and they have decided to give the government the benefit of doubt.
