NLC, TUC Declare Nationwide Strike

• Says strike remains until “government at all levels wake up to their responsibility.”

Organised labour under the aegis of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), have declared a nationwide strike.

TUC President, Festus Osifo, who disclosed this to journalists on Monday, said the strike will commence midnight, Monday and would remain until “government at all levels wake up to their responsibility.”

The Unions directed its affiliates to implement the resolutions of the National Executive Council (NEC)

The NLC and TUC had on Tuesday, November 7, threatened to embark on a nationwide strike from Tuesday, November 14, to protest the brutality on Joe Ajaero, President of the NLC.

Ajaero was hospitalised at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri, on Wednesday, November 1, after he was allegedly brutalised by suspected agents of the state and security operatives in Imo state.

The President, other national leaders of NLC and TUC, were at the state Secretariat in Owerri to protest among other grievances, the backlog of unpaid salaries and allowances, pensions, gratuities, and non-compliance with the National Minimum Wage Act.

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) on Friday, November 10, issued an order of interim injunction restraining members of NLC, TUC and their affiliates from proceeding with the strike.

President of the court, Justice Benedict Kanyip, issued the order while ruling on an ex-parte application brought by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) on behalf of the Federal Government.

Kamarudeen Ogundele, the Special Assistant Communication & Publicity to the AGF & Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi, reminded the unions about a court order barring them from going on strike.

“We wish to remind the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress that there is a subsisting court order stopping the unions and their affiliates from embarking on the strike,” the statement read.

“The interim order was granted on November 10 by the President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Justice B. B. Kanyip.

“The unions have been served the court order and, therefore, must surrender themselves to the authority of the court which is already seized with the facts of the case. Any action taken contrary to the order will be tantamount to contempt of court.

The Federal Government thus called on the unions to “respect the court order and adhere to the principle of the rule of law. There is no need to resort to self-help.

“We urge workers to report for duties and not to entertain any fear as their safety is guaranteed and will be protected within the ambit of law”.