FG Takes NLC, TUC To Court Over Workers’ Protest

,,,,,,Hours after the nationwide protest across Nigeria by workers, organised labour has reported that a court summon has been sent to both the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress in relation to the street protest.

Labour, therefore, directs all affiliates unions and their members from all sectors of the country’s economy, including the air, land, and sea transport sector, to ensure they shut down operations and be in court during all the days and periods of the court sittings.

President of the NLC Joe Ajaero and his TUC counterpart, Comrade Festus Osifo, in a statement jointly signed on Wednesday in Abuja, reaffirmed Congress’ commitment to protecting the interests and welfare of Nigerian workers and the masses even in the face of a purported contempt of court charge.

They said: “It is also important that we inform Nigerians that we have just received a Court summons purporting to charge us with contempt of Court. We urge all Nigerians to be vigilant because it appears that the days of long knives are here with us again. The leadership remains resolute in its commitment to the protection of the interests and welfare of the Nigerian people, and nothing whatsoever can take our eyes away from this focus nor shake this belief.

“Having demonstrated our collective resolve through the strong signal we sent today across Nigeria, we urge vigilance on the part of all workers and masses to protect our nation and our decisions while we await the response of the Government through the National Assembly, as was assured by their representatives during the protest.

,,,,,“The NLC and TUC also appreciates the timely intervention of the leadership of the National Assembly for their pledge to resolving the issues raised by the Nigerian people and for their deep understanding of the need for Government to provide quick wins as succor with short timelines to ameliorate the consequences of the hike in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) on the citizenry.

“Once again, we look forward to the continuing support of all Nigerians and workers around the country as we continue in this struggle for freedom from the clutches of oppression and impoverishment. We must remain unwavering and together…..refusing to allow them divide us so that collectively, we will build a nation where, no one will be considered too small to be left behind.

“It is pertinent to inform Nigerians that the extent of the success of the protest is underlined by the request of the President of the federal republic of Nigeria; Senator Ahmed Bola ‘l‘inubu to meet with the leadership of the NLC and TUC in a closed-door session.

“The engagement was fruitful that immense mileage was gotten with regards to the issues that bogged down the work of the Presidential Committee on Subsidy removal and necessitated the protest viz;

“He committed to an immediate restructuring of the framework for engagement in line with the input of the Labour leaders. He let out a certainty that the Portharcourt Refinery will commence production by December this year.

“He pledged to ensure that Agreement is reached on the Wage Award for Nigerian workers immediately. He promised to unveil a workable roadmap to the CNG alternative next week.

“On the strength of the President’s….pledge and commitment, we have decided for a return to a new and reinvigorated dialogue process to allow for full implementation.

“Once again. we thank Nigerians while we wait for the Government to fulfill its own part of the understanding as agreed with His Excellency.”