The Federal Government has asked the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to obey the court order restraining them from embarking on a strike action.
The organised Labour had declared a nationwide industrial action effective today over the brutalisation of Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the NLC, in Owerri, Imo State.
The declaration of the strike came despite a court restraining the unions and their affiliates from proceeding with the strike.
The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), on Friday, November 10, issued an order of interim injunction restraining members of NLC, TUC and their affiliates from proceeding with the strike.
President of the court, Justice Benedict Kanyip, issued the order while ruling on an ex-parte application brought by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) on behalf of the Federal Government.
Reacting in a statement on Monday, Kamarudeen Ogundele, Spokesperson of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), said going ahead with the strike action would amount to contempt of court.
He said, “We wish to remind the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress that there is a subsisting court order stopping the unions and their affiliates from embarking on the strike,” the statement reads.
“The interim order was granted on November 10 by the President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Justice B. B. Kanyip.
“The unions have been served the court order and, therefore, must surrender themselves to the authority of the court, which is already seized with the facts of the case.
“Any action taken contrary to the order will be tantamount to contempt of court.
“We use this medium to urge the unions to respect the court order and adhere to the principle of the rule of law. There is no need to resort to self-help.
“We urge workers to report for duties and not to entertain any fear as their safety is guaranteed and will be protected within the ambit of the law.”