Nigerian Government has warned workers under the federal government not to join the planned strike by labour unions across the country scheduled to start on Monday.
The Nigerian Government, in a circular issued by Head the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan on Friday, maintained that the National Industrial Court has restrained the unions from embarking on pending the hearing and determination of a Motion on Notice.
Yemi-Esan said the federal government is in talks with the labour unions towards ensuring that all agitations by the workers are resolved.
She Said:
“Sequel to the call by the Labour Unions for workers to embark on industrial action from Monday, 28th September 2020, the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) wishes to inform all public servants that the Federal Government team is currently engaging with the Labour Unions with a view to resolving all contentious issues and avert the planned industrial action.
“Furthermore, it is important to note that there is a court injunction granted by the National Industrial Court (Suit No. NICN/ABJ/253/2020) on 24th September, 2020, restraining the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria from embarking on any form of industrial action pending the hearing and determination of a Motion on Notice,” she added.
Electricity distribution companies had hiked their tariffs from about N30.23 to about N62.33 per kWh for Nigerians after the federal government said it would no longer subsidise electricity consumption.
Also, the price of petrol increased from about N145 to about N161 per litre while the federal government said it will no longer subsidize petrol too.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and its affiliate unions had enjoined workers to embark on an indefinite strike from Monday, pending when the federal government reverses the price of petrol and electricity tariff.
Other unions such as the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE), the Joint Action Front (JAF), Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), aviation unions, among others, have also declared their interest to join in the strike.
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