The Federal Government has urged the Nigerian Labour Congress NLC to drop the Idea of mobilising for strike as the National Industrial Court’s ruling restraining the NLC and the Trade Union Congress TUC is still in force.
The permanent secretary, Ministry of Justice,B. E Jedy- Agba said this in a statement on Wednesday.
The statement is in reaction to the 7- day Ultimatum the NLC gave the Federal Government to reverse its “anti- poor” and “insensitive ” policies notably, the fuel subsiy removal and increase in school fees which have caused citizens so much pain and misery
The NLC In a communique signed by Joe Ajaero, president, and Emmanuel Ugboaja, the union’s general secretary, accused the federal government of showing enormous disdain and contempt for the Nigerian people and declared a war of attrition on citizens.
But Jedy-Agba, said the order of the national industrial court of June 5 restraining the NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) “from embarking on the planned industrial action/or strike of any nature is still in force pending the hearing and determination of the pending motion on notice”.
She therefore,enjoined the union to refrain from disobeying court orders and “explore negotiations.”.
“It is noted that the issues (removal of fuel subsidy, hike in prices of petrol and consequential increase in the cost of living, etc) which precipitated the above court action are the very same issues over which NLC has now issued another strike notice,”
“The NLC has submitted to the jurisdiction of the court and is being represented by the reputable law firm of Femi Falana, SAN. It is therefore our minimum expectation that the NLC will allow the courts to perform their constitutional roles rather than resorting to self-help and undermining the orders of the court.
“We note with dismay that this latest strike notice is consistent with the inexplicable disdain which the NLC leadership has visited on the authority of the court in recent times following earlier inciting and derogatory remarks made by the NLC president against the court.
“Aside from the above legal inhibition against any strike action of any nature, we also note that both the federal and state governments are engaging with stakeholders to cushion the collateral effect of the removal of fuel subsidy and increment in fuel price.
“It would be a great act of service to Nigerian workers and the nation’s economy for NLC to explore negotiations rather than embark on any strike action.”
