The NLC has announced the commencement of the industrial action from the midnight of Monday 13th November 2023. This is in defiance of the restraining order issued in Abuja on Friday by the National Industrial Court.
Against the barring order of the court to restrain NLC, TUC and others from embarking on a national strike, The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has formerly began a nation wide strike.
The two major labour unions, NLC and TUC, had declared the strike following the brutal treatment of the NLC president, Joe Ajaero, in Imo State on 1 November.
Recall that Jennysoul reported the attack on NLC President during an NLC protest over ill treatment by the state government on workers within the state.
The interim order was given by the court following an ex-parte request by the Nigerian government through the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, due to the Labour unions’ threat to embark on strike.
Ignoring the court order, ASUU President, Emmanuel Osodeke, a professor of soil science, on Monday, directed compliance with the strike declaration by NLC and TUC in a letter to ASUU zonal coordinators and branch chairpersons across the country.
The letter reads:
“As an affiliate of NLC, all members of our union are hereby directed to join this action of NLC to protect the interest of Nigerian workers and the leadership of the union. Zonal coordinators and branch chairpersons should immediately mobilise our members to participate in the action,”
When Mr. Osodeke was asked if he was aware of the court order to stop the intending strike. Mr. Osodeke replied:
“Call the NLC, ASUU did not declare a strike, NLC declared the strike. Call NLC,” he said in a telephone interview on Tuesday morning.
Federal Government’s reactions to the NLC Strike
The Federal government has called the NLC strike an illegal and unwanted act to blackmail the government
On Monday, 13th November, 2023, Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy mentioned that the government was in a shock as to why the NLC President will call a strike and punish a nation of over 200 million people over a personal matter.
The office of the Attorney-General of the Federation has also urged all unions to disembark from any strike that has not been approved by the court.
