The Federal Government has called on organized labor, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), to cancel their planned strike set to begin on Tuesday. The government cited a restraining order issued by the National Industrial Court in Abuja last Friday.
The strike was announced by TUC President Festus Osifo in response to an alleged assault on NLC President Joe Ajaero by suspected thugs in Owerri, Imo State, on November 1. The labor action is expected to paralyze economic activity across the country.
However, the government, through the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Lateef Fagbemi, reminded the unions of the court order. The Special Assistant to the AGF warned that any action taken in violation of the court order would amount to contempt.
Despite the warning, Osifo stated that all affiliates of the NLC and TUC had been mobilized for the strike. The unions are demanding the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the alleged assault on Ajaero.
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The incident, which occurred during a protest over the alleged failure of the Imo State government to pay its workers, has been widely condemned. In response, organized labor directed aviation workers to shut down the Owerri airport and picket the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, grounding all Owerri-bound flights.
The government’s call for the cancellation of the strike underscores the tension between the authorities and organized labor, with the outcome likely to have significant implications for the country’s labor landscape.