Double Standard As FG Is Threatening And Also Pleading With NLC And Its TUC Counterpart Over Indefinite Strike Alert

The Nigerian Federal Government has urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) to suspend their planned nationwide indefinite strike scheduled to begin on October 3. The government has warned that proceeding with the proposed industrial action would constitute a gross violation of an existing court injunction. Meanwhile, the National Economic Council (NEC) has also called on the labour unions to refrain from embarking on the indefinite strike while advising the Federal Government and Labour to continue negotiations at the state level. Despite these appeals, the NLC has confirmed that the strike will proceed as planned. Additionally, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has directed its members, including the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), Petrol station workers (PSW), Liquefied Petroleum Gas Retailers (LPGAR), and all other allied workers in the value chain of petroleum product distribution to comply with the strike directive.

It should be noted that the NLC denied having any agreement with the Federal Government to suspend the proposed indefinite strike yesterday. However, the government stated that the fuel subsidy removal issue, which prompted the NLC and TUC to declare the strike, is pending before the National Industrial Court (NIC). Through the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the government wrote to the head of the legal team of the two unions, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, requesting him to urge his clients to cancel the planned strike.

The Ministry has drawn attention to media reports about the proposed nationwide strike action by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) scheduled to commence on October 3, 2023. In a letter dated September 26, the Ministry invited the recipient to recall the previous correspondence exchanged between the office and the recipient's firm before and after the nationwide "action/protest" declared by the NLC on August 2, 2023. The Ministry reminded the recipient that the national protest by NLC furthers its constitutional right to embark on demonstrations. Still, it has repeatedly advised against resorting to self-help and taking actions that could undermine subsisting orders of a court of competent jurisdiction. The letter also pointed out that the office had instituted contempt proceedings against the labour leaders based on the conduct of the said nationwide action/protest.

In the past, labour unions had threatened to strike due to issues related to fuel subsidy removal, fuel price hikes, and workers' welfare. However, when the President and National Assembly intervened, and the labour unions discontinued their protests, the contempt proceedings were not pursued further. This allowed the government and labour unions to negotiate further without any hindrances. 

Despite this, on August 31, 2023, the National Executive Council (NEC) of the NLC resolved to shut down the country entirely within 14 working days or 21 days from August. Please impress upon the organized labour unions that their proposed strike action is in gross breach of the subsisting court order, as well as the importance of addressing their grievances/demands within the ambit of the law.

Therefore, they must be more accommodating and show greater appreciation for the court's order by suspending the strike action. By doing so, both parties will have more room for further mutual engagement, leading to a comprehensive and sustainable resolution of all outstanding issues regarding this matter in the nation's best interest. The letter was copied to several recipients, including the Minister of Labour and Employment, the Chief of Staff to the President, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Director-General of State Security Services.

Meanwhile

NEC appeals to Labour to suspend planned strike, urges patience

At the National Economic Council meeting yesterday, Vice President Kashim Shettima chaired the meeting and requested that Organized Labour postpone the planned indefinite nationwide strike that would start on Tuesday, October 3, 2023. The governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, spoke to State House correspondents after the meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. He explained that the Council urged labour leaders to resume negotiations at the state level, as continuing dialogue would be the best economic option, particularly at the state level. The Council acknowledged the notice by the national leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress to proceed on an indefinite strike from October 3, 2023. The governor explained that most states were just coming out of prolonged industrial strikes when the various governors took office on May 29. Enforcing a new strike at this time would further damage the economy. He appealed for more time for the government to address labour concerns. The governor also noted indications that leadership at every level genuinely wanted the issues raised by Labour managed once and for all. The National Economic Council expressed genuine concern about the situation in the country. It urged for calm and patience while appealing for discussions to continue at the state level, as there will be peculiarities regarding the demands of Labor. Therefore, dialogue is the way to go.

There is no agreement to suspend the strike.

Nevertheless, yesterday, the NLC dismissed reports credited to the Ministry of Labour and Employment that it had an agreement to suspend the strike, discrediting reports of any scheduled meeting with the Federal Government over the planned strike.

In a statement yesterday by its Head of Information and Public Affairs, Benson Upah, titled "We have no agreement with the government to suspend strike", NLC faulted the purported press statement by the Director of Press, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mr Olajide Oshundun, on the proposed strike and illegal occupation of the secretariat of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, describing the statement as ladened with inconsistencies.

NLC said: "Accordingly, we find it necessary to make clarifications. Firstly, we do not have any agreement with the government to suspend the planned strike, nor do we have any date for a meeting with the government that may lead to breaking the proposed strike. While we do not intend to demean or minimize the Minister of Labour and Employment office, this matter is beyond the Ministry. This should have been obvious to them during our most recent meeting.

"Secondly, while we appreciate the role played by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, in securing the release of executives of the National Union of Road Transport Workers from unlawful/illegal police detention, we take exception to the Ministry describing these executives as factional leaders.

"They were lawfully elected into office. We still need to advise the Police and those elements behind their travails to desist from this despicable and shameful conduct.

"They are advised to retrace their steps. If democracy is to be of meaning to us, then we should resist the urge or temptation for impunity. Enough is enough."

The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has instructed tanker drivers and other members to comply with the ongoing strike.

In the meantime, one of the unions in the critical sector of the nation's economy, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, has directed members to ensure full compliance with the strike as announced by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC.