Tinubu’s Govt Reacts As NLC, TUC Embarks On Nationwide Strike Despite Court Order

The President Bola Tinubu-led government has called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to abandon their ongoing nationwide strike.

The unions had instructed workers across the country to initiate an indefinite strike from midnight, protesting the assault on and mistreatment of NLC President Joe Ajaero in Owerri, Imo State, on November 1, along with other unresolved labor-related concerns.

On November 5, the national industrial court in Owerri issued a restraining order, prohibiting the labor unions from commencing their planned strike.

Despite the court order, NLC and TUC, in a statement on Monday, November 13, ordered a nationwide strike at midnight, escalating their dispute with the Imo government to a national level.

Reacting in a statement by his Special Assistant, Communication & Publicity, Mr. Kamarudeen Ogundele, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, warned that the strike action by the labor unions would constitute “contempt of court.”

The AGF emphasized that the Federal Government had already served both the NLC and the TUC with copies of a restraining order from the National Industrial Court, which prohibited them from proceeding with the planned strike action.

“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 law,” the statement further read.

KanyiDaily had reported how NLC president, Joe Ajaero was allegedly arrested by the police during a protest against the alleged mistreatment of workers in Imo.