The Nigeria Labour Congress NLC says it will embark on indefinite strike if the Federal Government fails to withdraw the contempt charge filed against it.
The Federal Government on Wednesday sued the Labour unions’ following alleged disobedience of a court order restraining them from embarking on strike
The National Industrial Court which gave the order also summoned leaders of the unions over the contempt charge.
Recall that the National Industrial Court had on June 5 restrained the unions from protest against the removal of fuel subsidy.
However,on Wednesday, the NLC and the Trade Union Congress TUC and affiliate unions embarked on what they called a peaceful protest over the end of the fuel subsidy regime, the hike in school fees and other anti – poor policies of the government.
During the protest the unions met with Federal lawmakers in the National Assembly and also met with President Bola Tinubu after the protest where he assured them that the Port Harcourt Refinery will be ready in December.
After meeting with the president, the unions decided to call off the strike but the NLC has threatened to go on strike in view of the contempt charge
The union in a communique Thursday issued and signed by its President, Joe Ajaero and the General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, demanded the “immediate withdrawal of this litigious terrorism by the Federal Ministry of Justice before the end of work Friday, the 11th of August, 2023.”
It threatened that it would “go on total strike across the country any day labour leaders are summoned to Court by the government through the NICN. To embark on a nationwide comprehensive strike beginning Monday 14th of August, 2023 if this contemptuous Court summons are not withdrawn by whosoever initiated it.”
The NLC noted that it commits to the terminal date of August 19th within which the issues around the Petroleum price hike will be agreed given the assurances of the President and the National Assembly.
It commended the” national leadership and all the state officers for the effective coordination of the Protest” and “urged all affiliates and State Councils including Civil society allies to stay further action but to remain focused and eternally vigilant”.
