Court stops NLC, TUC’s planned strike over fuel subsidy removal
The National Industrial Court (NIC) has restrained the Organised Labour from embarking on strike over the removal of fuel subsidy.
The Federal Government obtained the order restraining the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) from embarking on any form of strike on Monday.
Ruling on an exparte application filed before the court, Justice O.Y. Anuwe ordered the unions not to embark on their planned industrial action or strike of any nature pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice dated June 5, 2023.
The court also directed that the defendants be immediately served with the originating processes in the suit filed as it fixed June 19 for hearing.
“I have heard learned counsel for the Claimant/Applicants on a Motion Ex-Parte wherein they seek an order of this court restraining the defendants/Respondents, their members, agents, employees, workmen, servants, proxies or affiliates from embarking on the panned Industrial action and/or strike pending the determination of the Motion on Notice which was filed along with this application. I have read the supporting affidavit and Exhibits FGN1, 2 and 3, as well as the Written Address of counsel. I have also read the affidavit of urgency dated and filed 5th June 2023.
“Learned counsel for the Applicant has pointed out that the proposed strike action is capable of disrupting economic activities,, the health sector and the educational sector. Exhibits FGN1, 2 and 3 are notices from the 1st defendant and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) respectively, to their members, to withdraw their services with effect from Wednesday 7th June 2023.
“By Section 7(b) of the National Industrial Court Act 2006, this court is empowered and indeed is clothed with exclusive jurisdiction in matters relating to the grant of any order to restrain any person or body from taking part in any strike, lock out or any industrial action or any conduct in contemplation or in furtherance of strike, lock out or any industrial action.
“Sections 16 and 19(a) of the NIC Act 2006 also empower this court to make orders or grant urgent interim reliefs,” the court had stated in the three-page order and then granted that:
“Having therefore considered the totality of this application, I make the following orders:
“1. The defendants/Respondents are hereby restrained from embarking on the planned Industrial Action/or strike of any nature, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice dated 5th June 2023.
“2. It is ordered that the defendant/Respondents be immediately served with the originating processes in this suit, the Motion on Notice and the order of this court hereby made.
“3. The Motion on Notice is hereby fixed for hearing for 19th June 2023. Hearing Notices to that effect shall be served on the defendants/Respondents along with the other processes,” Hon. Justice O.Y. Anuwe stated in the order stopping the labour strike slated for Wednesday June 7, 2023.
