Proposed Strike Action by NLC and TUC Unlawful – AGF Warns

 

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, has declared the planned strike action by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on June 3 as illegal, unlawful, and unconstitutional. He has urged both unions to halt the strike and return to the negotiation table to avoid violating labor dispute laws.

 

In a letter addressed to the leadership of NLC and TUC, the AGF highlighted the legal consequences of their proposed strike, stating that the manner in which it was declared violates labor laws. He pointed out that the unions failed to provide the mandatory 15-day notice to the federal government before contemplating the strike action.

 

The AGF also noted that the unions breached International Labour Organization (ILO) laws, as they did not meet the conditions required for declaring a strike. Additionally, he reminded the unions that the National Industrial Court of Nigeria had issued an order prohibiting the strike, which remains in effect and binding on all parties involved.

 

The letter, personally signed by the AGF, emphasized that the court order had not been appealed, stayed, or set aside by the NLC and TUC. He urged the labor leaders to respect the existing court order, describing the planned strike as premature, illegal, and unconstitutional. He appealed to the workers to refrain from proceeding with the strike.

 

The AGF suggested that both labor unions should attend the negotiation meeting that has been adjourned to a date yet to be communicated to them.

 

The letter was also copied to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Chief of Staff to the President, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Inspector General of Police (IGP), and the Director General of the State Security Service (SSS).