The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have given the reasons they shelved the nationwide strike planned for today, Wednesday to protest against the removal of petrol subsidy saying they were hamstrung by Monday’s order by the National Industrial Court (NIC) in Abuja restraining them from going ahead with the planned action.
The NLC gave its explanation in a communiqué issued at the end of its emergency national executive council held yesterday.
The communiqué signed by both the NLC president and the general secretary, Messrs Joe Ajaero and Emma Ugboaja respectively reads: “Taking into account that the federal government has procured a court injunction restraining congress from proceeding with the proposed nationwide strike as the NEC-in-session had ordered to begin, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, and recognizing the willingness of government for continuous engagement through dialogue and to offer reasonable palliatives in due course to cushion the effect of its policies, some levels of understanding were reached.
“Considering the mood of the socio-polity of the last elections and the need to pursue national stability and, the NEC-in-session also resolved to commend and applaud the diligence of the congress’ leadership in carrying out the assignment given to it by NEC.
‘’It demonstrated to the federal government the need to comply with the laws of the land, especially as it concerns obedience to the ruling of courts and their brazen disregard for the 2023 Appropriation Act.
“NEC-in session, therefore, supports and accepts the decision of the leadership of congress to suspend the proposed strike in compliance with the flawed rulings of the NIC and also allow negotiations to flow freely and enable final agreement during or after June 19, 2023, negotiation round with the federal government.
“The NEC-in- Session, however, registers in strongest terms its disgust and disapproval of the ruling of the National Industrial Court, NIC, for its continuous weaponisation of the instrument of ex-parte injunctions in favour of government against the interests of Nigerian workers, in defiance of the position of the Supreme Court on the use of this instrument.
“All affiliates and state councils of Congress are, hereby, directed to suspend further action and mobilization until the outcome of the final negotiations.
‘’The NEC-in-session commends all affiliates and state councils on their robust mobilization towards a successful nationwide strike and to also remain vigilant in case there is need to continue.”
For its part, the TUC said it shelved the strike because the government was ready to accept all its demands, including the payment of a new minimum wage of N200, 000.
Secretary of the union, Mr. Nuhu Toro, said since the government had “accepted all our demand” during the negotiation, “there was no need to proceed with any industrial action.”
“The essence of an ultimatum is to get the government’s attention to present our demands which we did. In any case, it is not over. We are meeting on June 19 to review the situation,” he added.
