By Becky Usman

The Federal Government has issued a stern warning to the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), urging them to reconsider their plan to initiate an indefinite nationwide strike on October 3.

The government emphasized that the proposed strike action by the labor unions would be a clear violation of an existing court injunction. It asserted that the issues related to the removal of fuel subsidy, which prompted the NLC and TUC to call for the strike, are already under consideration by the National Industrial Court (NIC).

In response to the unions’ willingness to engage in negotiations on this matter, the government withdrew a contempt proceeding it had initiated against them. Consequently, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), wrote to the legal team representing the unions, led by Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), appealing to them to persuade their clients to abandon the planned strike.

The letter, dated September 26, stated, “The attention of the Ministry has been drawn to media reports on the proposed nationwide strike action by the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress, TUC, scheduled to commence on 3rd October 2023.”

The letter goes on to detail the history of the government’s interactions with the labor unions on this matter, including previous protests and the subsequent withdrawal of contempt proceedings. It highlights that the proposed strike action directly contravenes a pending interim injunctive order issued on June 5, 2023, which prohibits both the NLC and TUC from embarking on any industrial action or strike until the court fully addresses the issue.

The government firmly reminded the unions that court orders, regardless of personal opinions, must be respected and followed until legally overturned. It concluded by stating, “It is the expectation of the public that the labor unions would lead in obedience and observance of court orders and not in its breach.”

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chief of Staff to the President, National Security Adviser, Inspector-General of Police, and the Director-General of the State Security Services (DSS) were all copied in the letter.

The background to this situation stems from the labor unions’ threat to launch an indefinite nationwide strike starting on October 3. Their decision follows the Federal Government’s failure to address the economic challenges caused by the abrupt removal of fuel subsidy.