Despite the
court order, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Tuesday, asked its members
nationwide to commence indefinite strike effective from midnight of Tuesday.
The Federal
Government team was led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation
(SGF), Babachir Lawal.
However,
the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Joe Ajaero-led faction of the NLC, in
disagreement with their NLC counterpart led by Comrade Ayuba Wabba, called of
the strike and agreed with the Federal Government to embark on certain measures
to mitigate the impact of petrol price hike on Nigerians.
While the
NLC left the meeting, saying that they had reached a dead end and strike would
commence as scheduled, the TUC concluded the process with the Federal
Government’s representatives.
Wabba,
while addressing journalists on their resolve to back out of the meeting, said
“on this specific policy of increase of the pump price of petrol, which has
resulted to about 67.8 per cent increase, we have to take time to go and discuss
at our National Executive Council (NEC) meeting and we came back to still look
at the issues.
“The
mandate that we have is to the effect that the generality of Nigerian workers
feel that the pump price of N145 per litre is too outrageous and out of
proportion and in view of the current economic situation, it is difficult for
them to go by it, especially in the context of the quantum of the increase.
“Even the
attempt to see how this can be mitigated was not actually made possible at that
meeting and we thought that we shouldn’t continue in the process where we think
the end product has not been able to meet our minimum expectations to be able
to have a point where there will be succour to the larger Nigerian public.
“There was
no assurance whether this increase will also mean price stabilisation.
Therefore, there was a lot of uncertainty whether it will be sustained or
whether in the near future, we pass through this same path.
“It is on
that premises that we thought that there will be no necessity to continue in
the process. The mandate given to us by the NEC is that there should be
reversal of price for us to have meaningful dialogue,” he said.
When asked
if the strike will go on today, he said: “Certainly, strike continues. The
meeting was a dead end since the demand we made could not be met in the context
of the mandate we have from NEC of NLC.”
On the
court ruling, Wabba said NLC has never been served with any court order
stopping the strike.
He,
however, said the NLC was still open to negotiation with the government if
invited.
Earlier on
Tuesday, the National Industrial Court (NIC) had stopped the NLC and the TUC
from embarking on its planned nationwide strike.
President
of the NIC, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, granted the Federal Government’s ex
parte application moved by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and the
Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
The court
further granted an order of interlocutory injunction, restraining the
defendant/respondent from demonstration or engaging in any action that may
disrupt the economic activities of the country, pending the hearing and
determination of the originating summons filed by the Federal Government.
Justice
Adejumo, while granting the ex parte order, urged the Federal Government and
the NLC to take to an amicable settlement of the dispute.
He
regretted the absence of the NLC and TUC in court and added that the court
would have advised them to go for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
Meanwhile,
the case has been assigned to Justice Benedict Kanyie of the Lagos Division of
the court, which is expected to sit on the matter in Abuja
The matter
has been adjourned till May 24.
ASUU
begins indefinite strike
National
President of Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU), Professor
Biodun Ogunyemi, on Tuesday night, directed members of the union to proceed on
total and indefinite strike, in compliance with the earlier directive of the
NLC.
Professor
Ogunyemi, in a text message sent to members nationwide, stated that the just
concluded NEC of NLC, on Tuesday evening, resolved to continue with the strike
effective midnight Tuesday.
He said the
strike would continue until the Federal Government reverts the price of petrol.
“Good
evening Comrade. We just rose from the NLC NEC meeting where it was resolved
that we should proceed with total and indefinite strike as earlier proposed.
The action begins by midnight tonight (Tuesday). A people united can never be
defeated,” the text message read.
OPC to
join strike
Founder of
the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Dr Fredrick Fasehun, on Tuesday, demanded the
resignation of President Buhari if he was not ready to revert to the old price
of fuel.
This was as
he listed the increase of the pump price of petrol among eight perceived
policies of President Buhari Nigerians should immediately rise up to challenge.
Fasehun,
who addressed newsmen in Lagos
He urged
all Nigerians to heed the call by civil society and the organised labour for
national strike from today, stating that OPC members would not be left out.
No work,
no pay
The Federal
Government has directed all ministers, permanent secretaries and heads of
government agencies to invoke the provision of “no work no pay” in respect of workers
who participate in the planned strike by a faction of NLC.
The SGF
gave the directive on Tuesday, while advising workers to shun the exercise in
their own interest.
Lawal also
called on security agencies to beef up security and ensure that protesters did
not prevent workers from gaining access to their offices.
“The
attention of all public officers is drawn to the notice issued by the NLC to
embark on an indefinite strike from Wednesday, May 18, 2016.
“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
strike action.
“Government
undertakes to guarantee the safety of workers and their work places, and
expects that normal work will continue in the interest of the nation,” Lawal
said in the statement.
Accordingly,
security agencies had been directed to ensure unimpeded access to offices, work
places and markets.
Source:
Nigerian Tribune
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