By: Israel Umoh
Conscious of the determination of Organised Labour to embark on nationwide strike Monday, September 28, Federal Government, in desperate moves, is throwing punches left, right and centre to break the jaw of labour.
The plot is to dissuade labour from embarking on the strike meant to protest against recent hikes in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit and electricity tariffs.
While government is at the blue corner of the ring, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE), the Joint Action Front (JAF), Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) are in the red corner to contend hard punches.
To avoid bruised face, the government delegation is holding what is seen as fence-mending meeting that started at 7 p.m. with leaders of the organized labour on Sunday in Abuja to call off the showdown.
Few hours earlier, Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of Nigerian House of Representatives had asked NLC to suspend the strike and offered the organised labour some palliatives.
The palliatives, according to the Speaker, would be included in the proposed 2021 budget soon be presented to the National Assembly.
Some palliatives, according to him, were being considered to cushion the effects of increase in electricity tariff and fuel price hike and would the distribution of food items, reduction of taxes on minimum wage and payment of some special allowances.
“You know, you cannot go on strike at this time, if you go on strike, the people you think you are protecting will be at the receiving end, we share your philosophy regarding workers’ rights. We know what Nigerians are going through, our position on electricity billing is obvious, the only thing now is to continue to talk, I am concerned about the people out there. Shutting down the markets, banks and other places of work is my worry, I am concerned about the people,” he said.
Yet, the labour front led by Ayuba Wabba, NLC President turned down the bait and stuck to their gun- strike.
As part of the ploys to cow the labour, Folasade Yemi-Esan, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, warned civil servants to boycott the strike.
Speaking in Abuja on Friday, September 25, 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, 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.
“Accordingly, all officers on grade level 12 and above and those on essential services are hereby strongly advised to be at work to perform their official duties.”
Part of the desperate moves was the order from National Industrial Court of Nigeria. On Thursday, September 24, the court ordered the organised labour comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress not to embark on its indefinite strike.
Justice Ibrahim Galadima gave the order in a ruling on an ex parte application filed by the Incorporated Trustees of Peace and Unity Ambassadors Association through their counsel, Sunusi Musa.
Galadima, a judge of the National Industrial Court, gave the order while ruling on an ex parte application brought by the office of the attorney-general of the federation.
Maimuna Shiru, acting director of the department civil litigation of the federal ministry of justice and Tijjani Gazali, also of the ministry, had moved the application on behalf of the federal government.
Still on Thursday, the same judge had also granted an ex parte order in favour of the Incorporated Trustees of Peace and Unity Ambassadors Association, stopping both unions from going on with the strike scheduled for Monday.
Despite these daring moves by the Federal government, members of the organized labour are adamant and unbending in conceding any ground until their demands are totally and wholly met, if not now, tomorrow and if not tomorrow, then concrete assurance that the demands would be met by the Federal and state governments- the key actors.
Whether the fight will go on as scheduled on Monday depends largely on the outcome of Sunday’s truce between the protagonist and the antagonist.
