The Federal Government has made a request to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to reconsider its planned nationwide strike action.
The government stated that it had obtained an order from the National Industrial Court in Abuja, restraining the NLC from proceeding with the strike.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Lagos State Governor, Sanwo-Olu, Urges Nurses To Embrace Tech
The strike was to take effect following the expiration of a one-week notice over issues related to the removal of fuel subsidy, petrol price hikes, and the rising cost of living.
The court order is pending the resolution of the suit.
In a statement released through the Federal Ministry of Justice, the government urged the NLC to withdraw the 7-day notice it issued, threatening to commence the strike action from August 2, unless its demands were met.
The government argued that pursuing the strike action would amount to self-help, considering the matter is already before the court.
The statement highlighted the pending suit, marked as SUIT NO: NICN/ABJ/158/2023 – FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA & ANOR V. NIGERIAN LABOUR CONGRESS & ANOR.
The court had granted an injunctive order on June 5, 2023, restraining the NLC and the Trade Union Congress from embarking on any planned industrial action or strike pending the determination of the motion on notice, which seeks an order of interlocutory injunction for parties to maintain the status quo.
The government expressed dismay over the NLC’s decision to issue another strike notice despite the pending court case.
It stressed that the NLC had previously shown a disregard for the authority of the court, with derogatory remarks made by the NLC President against the judiciary.
The government emphasized that both the Federal and State Governments are engaging with stakeholders to address the issues that led to the strike notice.
This included the removal of fuel subsidy and fuel price increment.
It urged the NLC to prioritize negotiations and adhere to the principles of lis pendis and the rule of law to avoid negative consequences.
The statement concluded by urging the NLC to consider the welfare of Nigerian workers and the nation’s economy and to explore avenues for dialogue and negotiation instead of proceeding with the strike action.
The statement read in part: “It is noted that the issues (removal of fuel subsidy, hike in prices of petrol and consequential increase in 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 NLC will allow the courts 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.
“Indeed, the avowed penchant of the leadership of the union for casting aspersions on the Judiciary is quite worrisome and concerning.
“Aside 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.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Kidnapped Baby, Chinedu, Found At Refuse Dump After Three Days
“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.
“We therefore urge NLC to allow good reason to prevail by adhering to the time-tested principles of lis pendis and rule of law to avert adverse consequences.”
 to reconsider its planned nationwide strike action.){kind=link}