The NLC seem to have called the Federal government’s bluff as they stormed out of the meeting convened to figure out a solution to the current fuel price hike situation and declared that they’d go on strike.
It will be recalled that yesterday the NIC made an order prohibiting the NLC from going on strike, but the NLC have vowed to proceed with the strike action anyway.
The NLC were further angered by the decision of the NIC being made in their absence. The Trade union Congress criticised the Federal government heavily over the move.
The general secretary of the NLC, Dr Peter Okoye son speaking to the Punch said “I am not aware of any court injunction. As far as I am concerned, I am not aware of any court injunction,”
The President of the TUC Mr. Bala Kagama speaking on the decision of the NIC before the meeting 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?”
Secretary to the government of the federation, Mr Babachir Lawal said after the unsuccessful meeting that he hoped that workers went with the order of the NIC, stating “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).
“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.”
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