NLC Threatens Nationwide Strike Over Lawsuit

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Thursday warned of a nationwide strike commencing August 14, 2023, if the Federal Ministry of Justice doesn’t withdraw its lawsuit against the labour union.

Naija News had earlier reported that the Federal Government on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against NLC over their protest.

NLC, however, after a meeting of its National Executive Council in Abuja threatened to embark on strike.

The union president, Joe Ajaero, criticized the Ministry of Justice and National Industrial Court, saying they’ve allowed themselves to be “agents of anti-democracy.”

Despite previously agreeing to halt protests following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu, the union vowed to initiate a nationwide strike if the lawsuit isn’t withdrawn by the government.

He said, “to support and affirm the decision to suspend further protest on the nationwide mass protest; to commit to maintaining the required vigilance needed to hold government accountable on its assurances and governance in general; To commit to the terminal date of August 19, 2023, within which the issues around the Petroleum price hike will be agreed given the assurances of the President and the National Assembly.

“To go on total strike across the country any day labour leaders are summoned to court by the government through the NICN. To demand the immediate withdrawal of this litigious terrorism by the Federal Ministry of Justice before the end of work Friday, the 11th of August, 2023.

“To embark on a nationwide comprehensive strike beginning Monday, 14th of August, 2023 if this contemptuous court summons is not withdrawn by whosoever initiated it.”