By Ejiofor Toochi
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened to embark on a nationwide strike by the 14th of August 2023, if the government fails to drop charges of contempt of court.
Recall that the Federal Ministry of Justice had filed a contempt charge against NLC and TUC for embarking on the strike.
The decision to embark on a strike was finalized at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the NLC, upon which a communique was issued.
This was announced barely 24 hours after its decision to call off the nationwide protests.
NLC stated that they deliberated on the mood of the nation, and reviewed the effectiveness of the execution of the Nationwide Mass Protest, especially the consequential meetings with Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the action of the federal ministry of Justice through the National Industrial Court (NICN).
Outcome of the meeting
“Whereas the federal ministry of Justice through the NICN has continued to allow itself to be used as a vehicle to truncate the dominance of the tenets of democracy and muzzle/silence the voices of Nigerian workers.
“Whereas it has served a summons on the leadership of the NLC and TUC to answer to contempt of court charges despite the provisions of the constitution to the contrary and the objective realities.
“Consequently, NEC-in-Session resolved as follows: 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 19th 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on a nationwide comprehensive strike beginning Monday 14th of August, 2023 if this contemptuous Court summons are not withdrawn by whosoever initiated it.
“While commending the national leadership and all the state officers for the effective coordination of the Protest, it urged all affiliates and State Councils including our Civil society allies to stay further action but to remain focused and eternally vigilant.”
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