The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened to go on strike if the Federal Government does not withdraw a recent court action filed against Organised Labour.
This is a sudden twist from Wednesday’s tacit mending of fences between government and Organised Labour, which led to the suspension of a nationwide protest called by the latter.
The NLC is threatening to again call a nationwide strike on August 14, if government fails to withdraw the suit.
The NLC reached the decision during its National Executive Council meeting held in Abuja on Thursday, according to a statement signed by the National President, Joe Ajaero and the National Secretary Emanuel Ugboaja.
The NLC accused the Ministry of Justice and the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) of allowing themselves to be used as “anti-democracy” agents.
Confirming the union’s suspension of its protest following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu on Thursday, the NLC warned it will go on a nationwide total strike any day labour leaders are summoned to Court by the government through the NICN.
The union said in the statement, that it had made resolutions to commit to maintaining the required vigilance needed to hold government accountable on its assurances and governance in general; to commit to the terminal date of August 19th 2023 within which the issues around the Petroleum price hike will be agreed, given the assurances of the President and the National Assembly.
Other resolutions arrived at, it said, included to go on total strike across the country any day labour leaders are summoned to court by the government through the NICN.
Labour also demanded for, “the immediate withdrawal of this litigious terrorism by the Federal Ministry of Justice before the end of work Friday, the 11th of August, 2023.”
It further resolved to embark on a nationwide comprehensive strike beginning Monday 14th of August, if the court summons was not withdrawn by whosoever initiated it.
