The Federal Government has reportedly begun moves to avert the looming nationwide industrial strike. According to multiple sources, government is determined to use every means possible including carrot and stick, to achieve the aim.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), at a joint emergency meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, resolved to embark on an indefinite strike with effect from October 3 following Federal Government’s failure to address the suffering and other socio-economic hardships occasioned by the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol.
On Tuesday, September 5 and Wednesday 6, NLC had embarked on a two-day warning strike to force government to address the mass suffering of Nigerians, especially workers.
At a joint press briefing, yesterday, the unions which reunited after a momentary parting of ways, asked their state chapters to mobilise for protests across the country with effect from October 3.
It also directed all affiliates and state councils to immediately begin mobilising for street protests and rallies.
However, multiple highly placed sources told Daily Sun last night that the Federal Government was doing everything to ensure the strike does not hold.
“To say the announcement to embark on a strike rattled the government is to say the least. Although President Bola Tinubu is out of the country, he has given a marching order to those concerned to ensure the strike is averted. They are ready to adopt both orthodox and unorthodox measures to foil the strike.”
As part of the move, sources said President bola Tinubu may announce an additional palliative package during his Independence Day speech on October 1. “He is scheduled to present the workers’ relief package during the traditional presidential speech on Nigeria’s Independence day.”
This could not be confirmed, however, at press time.
Another aspect of the plot, according to one of the sources, is to approach a court to obtain an injunction against labour. Government lawyers are reportedly drafting the suit in preparation to storming the court.
“This antic that was elevated to a state policy under the administration of Buhari, when Senator Chris Ngige was minister of labour and employment, is still well awn alive under this regime. Nigerians should not be surprised if the government obtains a court order between now and October 3.”
However, Labour has dismissed concerns that its planned nationwide strike would be hampered by a court order.
“Whether we’ll obey a court order? Well, wait till then. We should reach the bridge before we cross it,” spokesperson for NLC, Mr. Benson Upah, replied to DailySun in a phone interview when asked what would happen if the Federal Government obtained a court order to stop the strike.
