NLC Walks Out of Meeting with Government, Vows to Continue Strike Indefinitely

The face off between the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the government have not reached a truce to avert the planned strike as an eminent truce was dashed on Tuesday evening after the leadership of the NLC walked out of a meeting with representatives of the government.

NLC subsequently announced that it is embarking on an indefinite strike to protest the hike in petrol price.

The General Secretary of the NLC, Peter Ozo-Eson, told Premium Times that the strike will go on.

“It is clear the strike will go ahead as planned,” Mr. Ozo-Eson said ahead of the meeting with government.

The decision of the NLC to go on strike is despite an order from the National Industrial Court stopping the labour union from embarking on a strike action.

The General Executive Secretary of Medical and Health Workers Union, north central, Richard Gbamwuan, after the meeting with government on Tuesday said NLC will proceed on strike as planned.

“We have resolved to go ahead with the protest nationwide, as far as we are concerned, we are yet to be aware of any court injunction,” he said.

“And if there is any court injunction, we are just doing what federal government is fond of doing. The same Industrial court had stopped federal government from increasing electric tariff but till date federal government ignored us, they still went ahead, so we are embarking on the protest.”

The government has however warned civil servants off taking part in the strike, stating that it will not pay those who join the “illegal” action.

A statement by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Ahmed, directed government offices to invoke the “no-work-no-pay” rule.

“The attention of all Public Officers is drawn to the notice issued by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to embark on an indefinite strike from Wednesday, 18th May, 2016. This notice is regrettably given in spite of an Order by the Industrial Court against the strike action.

“Government, therefore, calls upon and advises all workers to respect the laws of the land and to desist from participating in an illegal strike action.

“All workers, whether in public or private sector are further reminded of the Trade Dispute Act, 2004, which provides that “where any worker takes part in a strike, he shall not be entitled to any wages or remuneration for the period of the strike and any such period shall not count for the purpose of reckoning the period of continuous employment and all rights dependent on continuity of employment shall be prejudicially affected accordingly.”

The decision of the Wabba led faction of the NLC negates the position of its rival faction led by Joe Ajaero, which agreed to not go on strike but be part of a government committee to review the minimum wage and price of fuel.

In another related development, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has revealed that it is not a part of the planned strike action. President of the union, Bobboi Kaigama, revealed this to the Daily Post on Wednesday morning, stating categorically that, ” TUC is not on strike.”