By Olusegun Olanrewaju and Deborah Onyofufeke
Despite the ruling by the National Industrial Court (NIC), the Organised Labour yesterday directed workers nationwide to down tools today.
The NIC sitting in Abuja had last Friday restrained the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) as well and their affiliates from embarking on any strike or industrial action.
The unions had after an extraordinary National Executive Council meeting last Tuesday in Abuja declared a total nationwide strike from November 14, 2023.
The unions took the decision following the alleged assault on the NLC National President, Joe Ajaero in Imo State.
The Federal Government of Nigeria, the Attorney General of the Federation, and the Minister of Justice filed an ex-parte application praying to the court to stop the unions from embarking on the planned strike.
In the application, the FG and AGF told the court that the strike would inflict untold hardship on law-abiding citizens and their businesses.
Counsel for the Federal Government and the AGF, Tijani Gazali SAN during the proceedings argued that many Nigerians suffered when the labour unions during their demonstration on Thursday blocked the entrances to the main Airports in the country.
READ ALSO:President has directed me to build a new Appeal Court in Abuja, says Wike
He pleaded with the court that unless the planned strike action is stopped, there may be a likelihood of a breach of peace and tranquillity in the country.
In his ruling, the president of the Court, Justice Benedict Kanyip cited sections 17 and 19 of the National Industrial Court Act and ordered the unions to stop their nationwide strike.
However, in a statement yesterday, the unions ordered workers nationwide to withdraw their services at 00hrs on Tuesday (today).
“In furtherance to the decision of the Joint National Executive Council (NEC) of NLC and TUC, all workers in Nigeria are hereby directed to withdraw their services effective midnight Monday, November 13, 2023,” the unions said in a joint statement.
“Consequently, all affiliates and state councils of NLC/TUC are directed to issue circulars for maximum compliance and these circulars be made available to the National Secretariats or posted to the NEC and CWC Whatsapp Platforms.”
While assuring members of further updates about the nationwide strike, organised labour urged them to “remain assured of our commitment to Nigerian workers and people”.
The strike is part of labour’s moves to push for justice after the National President of the NLC Joe Ajaero was assaulted in Imo State last week. Ajaero and other NLC members were in the South-East state for a demonstration over “non-payment of salaries and pensions for 44 months and violation of other labour rights.”
But the NLC chief was assaulted in the state with the union accusing Imo state of arranging the attack to stifle protests over workers’ rights. Ajaero was badly hurt, bundled into a van, and briefly detained, according to the union.
Following the incident, NLC and TUC threatened to go on a nationwide strike on November 14 if the government failed to meet its demands, which included the resignation of police officials.
“We are worried that it has become criminal for workers in Nigeria to gather for a peaceful protest,” they said.
Only last week, the unions picketed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja to press home their demands, leaving travellers stranded.
*Respect court order, FG warns Labour
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has warned the Organised Labour against carrying out its announcement of a planned strike action which is to take effect from today.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi in a statement released Monday night through his Special Assistant Communication and Publicity, Kamarudeen Ogundele, stressed that going ahead with the strike will amount to the NLC and Trade Union Congress flouting a subsisting court order.
Fagbemi added that this interim court order was issued on November 10 to the unions by Justice B.B Kanyip of the National Industrial Court.
The statement read in full, “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 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. We use this medium to urge 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 the law.”
