The Federal Government, on Thursday, urged the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to reconsider their plan to initiate a nationwide indefinite strike action on October 3.
The government asserted that such a proposed industrial action by the labor unions would constitute a serious violation of an existing court injunction. It emphasized that the issues related to the removal of fuel subsidies, which prompted the NLC and TUC to declare the strike, are already under consideration by the National Industrial Court (NIC).
According to the FG, the unions' willingness to engage in negotiations over the matter led to the withdrawal of a contempt proceeding that had been initiated against them.
Consequently, the government, represented by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), wrote a letter dated September 26 to the legal representative of the two unions, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), urging him to persuade his clients to cancel the planned strike.
The letter, a copy of which Vanguard obtained, read: "The Ministry has noted media reports on the proposed nationwide strike action by the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress, TUC, scheduled to commence on 3rd October 2023.
"You are kindly invited to recall the antecedence of previous steps/actions on this matter, particularly the exchange of correspondence between this office and your firm, before and after the nationwide 'action/protest' declared by the NLC on 2nd August 2023.
"While your clients had maintained that the nationwide protest by NLC is in furtherance of its constitutional right to embark on protests, the Ministry has repeatedly advised on the need to advise your clients to refrain from resorting to self-help and taking actions capable of undermining subsisting orders of a court of competent jurisdiction.
"It is also to be recalled that based on the conduct of the said nationwide action/protest, this Office instituted contempt proceedings against the labor leaders.
"However, upon the intervention of the President and National Assembly, coupled with the decision of the labor unions to discontinue their action/protest, the contempt proceedings were not prosecuted further.
"This was advisedly done to enable the government and labor union engage in further negotiations without any form of encumbrances.
"However, in its Communique issued at the end of its National Executive Council meeting on 31st August 2023, NLC resolved to embark on a total and indefinite shutdown of the nation within 14 working days or 21 days from 31st August 2023.
"Also on 26th September 2023, the Presidents of NLC and TUC, jointly issued a communiqué stating that organized labor had resolved, 'to embark on an indefinite and total shutdown of the nation beginning on zero hours Tuesday, the 3rd day of October, 2023.'
"From a review of the contents of the above communiques and available media reports, the proposed strike action is premised principally in furtherance of issues connected with the removal of fuel subsidy, hike in fuel price and consequential matters of making provisions for palliatives and workers welfare.
"These are undoubtedly issues that have been submitted to the National Industrial Court for adjudication.
"Therefore, the proposed strike action is in clear violation of the pending interim injunctive order granted on 5th June 2023 restraining both Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress from embarking on any industrial action/or strike of any nature, pending the hearing and determination of the pending Motion on Notice.
"We wish to reiterate that a court order, regardless of the opinion of any party on it, remains binding and enforceable until set aside.
"It is the expectation of the public that the labor unions would lead in obedience and observance of court orders and not in its breach."
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chief of Staff to the President, National Security Adviser, Inspector-General of Police, and the Director-General, State Security Services, DSS, were copied on the letter.
Recall that the labor unions had vowed to enforce an indefinite nationwide strike action from October 3, following the Federal Government's failure to address the economic hardships faced by Nigerians due to the abrupt removal of fuel subsidies.
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