₦airaland Forum

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri ABUJA – The National Industrial Court, NIC, sitting in Abuja has stopped the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, from embarking on a strike action tomorrow. The labour unions had in a communique they issued at the end of an emergency meeting the held on Saturday, vowed to embark on a nationwide industrial action should the federal government refuse to reverse the sudden hike in the price of fuel. However, in a ruling on Tuesday, the NIC President, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, restrained the labour unions from going on strike, pending the determination of a suit the federal government lodged before it. Justice Adejumo further ordered all the parties to maintain status quo until the legal dispute is settled. The order followed an ex-parte application that was filed by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN. Determined to abort the planned strike action, the AGF approached the NIC, begging it to restrain the labour unions from “shutting down the nation”. Placing reliance on section 14 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, FG, insisted that it would not be “in the national interest” for the NLC and TUC to proceed on nationwide strike over the fuel price increase. Malami, SAN, argued that ‎no amount of damages could serve as compensation if the labour unions are allowed to shut down the economy. Contending that the balance of convenience was in favour of the government, the AGF, prayed the court to determine “Whether the respondents (NLC, Trade Union Congress) have complied with the laid down condition precedent for embarking on strike‎”. As well as, “Whether indeed there exist in law and in fact the basis of which the respondents’ total closure of the economy can be justified”. He told the court that the respondents met on Saturday and issued a communique wherein it gave government a three-day ultimatum to reverse the decision increasing fuel price. He said the respondents, aside threatening to shut down the country if government failed to reverse the fuel price increase, equally threatened to close down all government offices, seaport, airports and markets. The AGF argued that ordinary and law abiding citizens would be subjected to hardship if the respondents were allowed to go ahead with their threat. He said the government was left with no alternative but to seek the intervention of the court. Besides, Malami told the court that he got notice of the communique on Sunday and quickly filed an originating summons, a motion on notice and an ex-parte application to determine whether NLC’s decision was justifi‎ed in the circumstance. He insisted that “great and irreparable damage” would be done against the nation and “ordinary and law abiding citizens”, should the court refuse the ex-parte application. Meanwhile, though neither NLC nor TUC was represented in court, Justice Adejumo granted the ex-parte motion, even as he ordered the service of all the relevant court processes on the respondents. The restraining order against the respondents will elapse after seven days.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/05/breaking-news-%e2%80%8e-fuel-price-hike-court-stops-labour-embarking-strike/

This is what i call change... we are in for deep shit, we can't even exercise our right freely.

Amazing decision

here we go

Wailers should go for walk of Shame instead

we shall get there. To hell fuel subsidy. who enjoyed subsidy on kerosen, only marketers, pls may subsidy go on oil and never return again.

woodboi:
This is what i call change... we are in for deep shit, we can't even exercise our right freely.

Nigerians have right to protest. Afterall, IMSU students protest against removal of subsidy. A Bishop in Osogbo protested yesterday too. These people were exercising their rights freely without been harrassed by the government.

However, NLC and TUC should not be given right to shut down the economy because of the disagreement they are having with Government policy. The protest is senseless and will not serve the nation interest. A grounded economy will make the situation worse. People will suffer needlessly because of griviance Labour union has with the Government.

Labour union represent a microscopic percentage of the Nigerians. Majority of Nigerians are in support of removal of subsidy and deregualtion of the downstream sector. Even, agencies attached to Labour Union have added support to the voice of the people and Government, throwning out the idea of shutting down of the economy. Watch the interview by TV stations and Radio, people are on the government side here. The people have spoken and are ready to endure till the storm is over. Therefore, NLC and TUC is irrelevant in their quest.

No one is stopping them from protesting. But they should not try and shut down the Economy as that will not serve the interest of the general public. If any member wants to go on with the protest, they should be sacked and serious minded people who can do the job should be employed.

NLC and TUC are better of returning to their duty and pray their salary is increased. Plenty body dey wey go take their job if they aint ready to work. We will not watch some pot belly lazy a s s to crumble our economy for their own interest.

Welcome to the matrix!