– NLC has vowed to go ahead with nationwide strike
which starts today, May 18
– NLC said it was not aware of the court order stopping
the strike
– FG says it will apply a no work, no pay policy
The labour unions are threatening to go ahead with
their planned strike action
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has vowed to go
ahead with its scheduled nationwide strike on today,
May 18 after walking out of the meeting held with the
representatives of the Federal Government.
NLC said they were angered by the decision of the
Federal Government to proceed to court , despite
existing negotiation which was at the instance of the
government.
The action of the NLC followed the failure of the parties
to resolve the dispute over the increase of the pump
price of petroleum by the Federal Government from
N86.50 to N145 per litre.
Recall that over the weekend, organised labour and the
civil society gave the Federal Government till midnight
on Tuesday to reverse the increase or face an indefinite
national strike.
While the NLC said it was not aware of the court order
stopping the strike, the Trade Union Congress flayed the
Federal Government for obtaining it.
“I am not aware of any court injunction. As far as I am
concerned, I am not aware of any court injunction,” the
general secretary of the NLC, Dr Peter Ozo-Eson, told
Punch newspaper.
On its part, the President of the TUC, Mr Bala Kaigama
said: “That is what we are going to the meeting to find
out. Who instituted that? So, we would find out if it is
going to stop our negotiations. They are doing it
through panic. I think they are scared. We have not
been served. Can you talk of what you have not seen?”
he asked.
The NIC in its ruling on Tuesday, May 17 stopped the
TUC and the NLC from embarking on their planned
strike scheduled to start on Wednesday.
But Speaking to newsmen after the meeting with labour
leaders, secretary to the government of the federation,
Mr Babachir Lawal said: “The National Industrial Court
has given an injunction that no strike by NLC and TUC
should hold tomorrow (Wednesday). It is therefore clear
that anyone embarking on strike tomorrow (Wednesday)
is doing so illegally and government is assuring all
Nigerians to come out and do their jobs tomorrow
(Wednesday).
READ ALSO: MUST READ: What FG plans to do to NLC,
TUC over planned national strike
“It the duty of government to provide security for her
citizens and anyone who tries to coerce any worker to
do their bidding would be made to face the law of the
land. We had full cooperation with the Trade Union
Congress of Nigeria and they said they are not going on
strike. For them, it is a complete return to work
tomorrow (Wednesday). It is not the same with the NLC
however. They have two factions, one agreed
completely with the position of the TUC.”
Meanwhile, the two major unions in Nigeria’s oil and
gas sector endorsed the price modulation mechanism
adopted by the Federal Government to arrive at the new
N145 per litre pump price for petrol.
FG applies no work, no pay policy
With NLC’s stand on the strike, the SGF in a statement
directed all ministers, permanent secretaries and heads
of government agencies to invoke the provision of rule
against errant workers.
“This notice is regrettably given in spite of an order by
the industrial court against the strike. Government,
therefore, calls upon and advises all workers to respect
the laws of the land and to desist from participating in
an illegal action.
“Government undertakes to guarantee the safety of
workers and their workplaces, and expects that normal
work will continue in the interest of the nation.
Accordingly, security agencies have been directed to
ensure unimpeded access to offices, workplaces and
markets.
“Accordingly, all ministers, permanent secretaries and
heads of government agencies are hereby directed to
invoke the provision of ‘no work no pay’ in respect of
any staff member who absents himself or herself from
work to join the strike.”
“Attendance registers are required to be opened in all
Ministries, Departments and Agencies.”
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