The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday said it put off the planned strike over petrol subsidy removal partly in obedience to an order of the National Industrial Court (NICN).
The strike suspension was announced after Monday’s marathon meeting between a government team and leaders of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and NLC.
Parties agreed to establish a joint committee to review the proposal for any wage increase and establish a framework and timeline for implementation.
They also consented to review and establish the framework for the completion of the rehabilitation of the nation’s refineries, among others.
Parties would meet again on June 19, 2023, to agree on an implementation framework.
Before the announcement, Justice O. Y. Anuwe of the NICN, while ruling on an ex-parte motion by the Federal Government through the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), barred the NLC from going on strike.
“The defendants/respondents are hereby restrained from embarking on the planned industrial action/or strike of any nature,” the court ruled.
The NLC, after an emergency National Executive Council meeting in Abuja yesterday, clarified that the court order was a contributory factor in the planned strike suspension, even if it could have appealed it.
In a communique by its President, Joe Ajaero and General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, the Congress faulted the court order, saying it amounted to an abuse of ex-parte injunction.
It directed all affiliates and state councils to suspend mobilization until the outcome of the negotiations.
The communique reads,
“An emergency National Executive Council (NEC) of the Congress which was called to discuss the outcome of the Dialogue between the NLC and the Federal Government on the petroleum products price hike after extensive deliberation observed that:
“The previous NEC-in-session had ordered a nationwide withdrawal of services and mass protest over the petroleum price hike by the federal government;
“Whereas the Federal Government was in breach of the 2023 Appropriation Act, the NLC will not encourage lawlessness on its part;
“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, the 7th of June, 2023;
“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 and some levels of understanding reached;
“Considering the mood of the socio-polity last elections and the need to pursue national stability;
“Consequently, the NEC-in-session resolved as follows: to commend and applaud the diligence of the Congress’ leadership in carrying out the assignment given to it by NEC.
“To demonstrate to the Federal Government the need to comply with the laws of the land especially as it concerns obedience to the rulings of the courts and their brazen disregard to the 2023 Appropriation Act.
“To, therefore, support and accept the decision of the leadership of Congress to suspend the proposed strike action in compliance with the flawed rulings of the NIC and also allow negotiations to flow freely and enable final agreement during or after the 19th June 2023 negotiation round with the federal government.
“To, however, register in strongest terms its disgust and disapproval with the ruling of the National Industrial Court (NIC) for its continuous weaponization of the instrument of ex-parte injunction 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.
“To commend all affiliates and state councils on their robust mobilization towards a successful nationwide strike action and to also remain vigilant in case there is a need to continue.”
