The Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has threatened to hold the duo of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) accountable over their refusal to obey the order of the National Industrial Court stopping them from embarking on strike over their disagreement with the federal government.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, warned that such strike action by the labour unions would be “tantamount to contempt of court.”
He said “We wish to remind the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress that there is a subsisting court order stopping the unions and their affiliates from embarking on the strike.
“The unions have been served the court order and, therefore, must surrender themselves to the authority of the court which is already seized with the facts of the case.
“Any action taken contrary to the order will be tantamount to contempt of court.
“We use this medium to urge the unions to respect the court order and adhere to the principle of the rule of law. There is no need to resort to self-help.
“We urge workers to report for duties and not to entertain any fear as their safety is guaranteed and will be protected within the ambit of law,”
the National Industrial Court, NIC, sitting in Abuja, restrained the unions from embarking on the strike following an ex-parte application from the Federal Government filed through the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN). The ruling was delivered by its President, Justice Benedict Kanyip who anchored its order on the provision of Sections 17 and 19 of its Act, saying it was within its powers to intervene in the dispute between the labour unions and FG.”
However, TUC President, Festus Osifo, who spoke on behalf of the two labour centres said the strike would remain until “government at all levels wake up to their responsibilities”.
He said “We demanded that the Area Commander that led the Police to carry out the brutalization should be relieved his duties and prosecuted.
“We asked also that Governor Hope Uzodinma’s Special Adviser, SA, on Special Duties, Chinasa Nwaneri, who everyone knew led the touts, should also be arrested and prosecuted. Our list of demands is in the public domain.
“We gave an ultimatum that initially expired Wednesday last week. But on the eve of that expiration, we had a joint session of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria.
“We looked at the time we gave and felt as responsible pan Nigeria organisations, that we should give additional one week to see if the government would be responsive.
“And to further draw the attention of government we had the picketing session last week Thursday but instead of government to come out strongly to condemn this criminality, instead of government to speak and stand on the side of justice, some people in government were rather running their mouths and making all kinds of statements.
“So the two labour centres have resolved to stand firmly by the decision of the joint National Executive Council meeting that was held last week Tuesday, that effective from 12 midnight on the 14th of November, we shall declare a nationwide strike.
“So, effective midnight today, a nationwide strike is going to commence. All affiliates of Trade Union Congress of Nigeria and Nigeria Labour Congress, all State Councils of the two labour centres have been mobilized adequately. This is going to be indefinite until government at all levels wakes up to its responsibility. This is the decision of the joint NEC of NLC and TUC and we are to carry it out to the later.”
