The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and Trade Union Congress (TUC), yesterday explained that it suspended its scheduled strike because it acknowledged the willingness of the federal government for continuous engagement and to offer reasonable palliatives in due course to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal on petrol. During an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting yesterday, the president of NLC, Mr. Joe Ajaero, and General Secretary, Emma Ugboaja, said the strike, which was aimed at forcing the Federal Government to reverse the decision to stop fuel subsidy which resulted in over 200 percent hike in the pump price of petrol, was suspended for some reasons including, the mood of the nation, in view of the outcome of the presidential elections still being challenged at the tribunal, the need to pursue national stability and the restraining order obtained by the FG from the National Industrial Court (NIC), as reasons for the decision to shelve the planned industrial action.
In a communiqué signed by both Ajaero and Ugboaja “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, June 7, 2023, and 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, some levels of understanding were reached.
“Considering the mood of the socio-polity of the last elections and the need to pursue national stability and, the NEC-in-session also resolved to commend and applaud the diligence of the congress’ leadership in carrying out the assignment given to it by NEC.
‘’It demonstrated to the Federal Government the need to comply with the laws of the land, especially as it concerns obedience to the ruling of courts and their brazen disregard for the 2023 Appropriation Act.
“NEC-in session, therefore, supports and accepts the decision of the leadership of Congress to suspend the proposed strike in compliance with the flawed rulings of the NIC and also allow negotiations to flow freely and enable final agreement during or after June 19, 2023, negotiation round with the Federal Government.
“The NEC-in- Session, however, registers in strongest terms its disgust and disapproval of the ruling of the National Industrial Court, NIC, for its continuous weaponisation of the instrument of ex-parte injunctions 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.
