The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, on Thursday, dismissed the ruling of the National Industrial Court restraining them from going on strike beginning from Monday.
The National Industrial Court had earlier ordered the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) not to embark on the nationwide strike scheduled for Monday.
However the NLC has replied the verdict stating that it doesn’t take orders from the court as they are not its employers.
The NLC and the TUC stated this after a meeting between the Federal Government and the workers ended in a deadlock on Thursday evening.
The government and the labour unions had met penultimate Tuesday, but the dialogue ended in a deadlock following the failure of the government to reverse the price increase or offer palliatives to cushion the effects on the workers.
The NLC and TUC subsequently declared a strike and protest scheduled to commence on Monday. Both unions said they would collaborate to execute the industrial action for maximum effect.
The minister, Chris Ngige had, told journalists in Abuja that the said meeting was largely fruitful and that pending issues will be resolved on Monday, September 28.
The national president of the NLC, Ayuba Wabba, said that another meeting was scheduled for Monday solely by the government.
Wabba said:
“We were not the one that adjourned the meeting; the government adjourned it till Monday. Monday is the expiration of the ultimatum and we are still very much focused on that. It is a deadlock now.
“Of course, that (adjournment) will not stop the action that has been put in place. We have told them to reverse or to suspend, while the discussion goes on Monday. So, labour is left with no option but to go our way.”
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