The Federal Government has called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (TUC) and Trade Union Congress
(TUC) to shelve their planned nationwide strike. Both unions had yesterday called on workers across the country to down tools at midnight as their standoff with the Imo State government takes a national undertone. But in a statement late Monday, Kamarudin Ogundele, the Special Assistant Communication & Publicity to the AGF & Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi, reminded the unions about a court order
barring them from going on strike.

“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 read.
“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.

The Federal Government thus called on 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 law”.
Labour’s move followed an assault on the National President of the NLC Joe Ajaero in Imo State. The
labour leader was in the state for a demonstration over “non-payment of salaries and pensions for 44
months and violation of other labour rights”.