The Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress are heading for collision over the laters planned nationwide protest on Wednesday August 2.
The FG has replied the labour, insisting that the planned industrial action is illegal.
A letter from Sam Ogala of Falana’s Chamber, dated July 28, 2023, had stated that the right to peaceful protest has not been removed from the constitution
In reply to the letter from the labour, the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Beatrice Jedy-Agba, reminded the Labour that there is a subsisting interim court order stopping the NLC from going on strike.
It partly reads, “We reiterate that the interim order clearly restrained NLC from embarking on industrial action of any nature. It is common knowledge that a strike is only a form of industrial action. NLC has expressed intention to embark on nationwide action to force the government (employer) to agree to its demands.
“Furthermore, the participation of workers in the protest will result in restriction, or limitation on, or a delay in the performance of work. The foregoing, inclusive of the purported peaceful protest (in view of its intended aims or purposes) undoubtedly amounts to industrial action. We assert that it is grossly inappropriate to lead the public protest in respect of issues relating to or connected with the fuel price increase, which is currently before the court.”
The letter told Falana to educate the NLC that peaceful protests are no justification for shutting down essential services.
Jedy-Agba said, “From the communique, it is apparent that the current move by NLC goes beyond peaceful protest by issuing a seven-day ultimatum for government to meet its demands and also embark on a nationwide action to compel the government to reverse alleged anti-worker policies.
“Furthermore, uncontroverted media reports have established that NLC is not planning a peaceful protest but intends to ground the government by endangering public peace, instilling fear in the masses, and precipitating a further crisis.”
“It is incumbent on your law firm to sensitise the labour unions that peaceful protests are no justification for disrupting or shutting down essential services, which is tantamount to strike action. Based on the foregoing, you may wish to advise your clients accordingly,” the statement added.
In his Monday evening broadcast, President Bola
The organised labour has expressed doubt on the sincerity of the interventions President Bola Tinubu rolled out in his national broadcast to Nigerians to cushion the effects of his administration’s policies on the citizens.
The labour vowed to proceed with its planned protest over the removal of petroleum subsidy, saying what he told Nigerians was neither here nor there considering that after spending two months in office, there was no concrete measures to bring immediate succour to the people.
The has outlined measures to cushion the effects of the subsidy removal, but the labour expressed doubt in the broadcast, describing it as deceptive.
The NLC President Joe Ajero emphatically said “the plan for workers to proceed on a peaceful protest from tomorrow had not changed.”
