THE CABLE
The federal government has filed a contempt proceeding against the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) for allegedly defying an order restraining the unions from embarking on industrial action.
The “notice of consequences of disobedience to order of the court” also called “form 48” was filed before the national industrial court in Abuja on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, NLC issued a seven-day ultimatum to the federal government to reverse all “anti-poor” and “insensitive” policies.
The policies, the union said, include the recent hike in the price of petrol, and the sudden increase in public school fees, among others.
However, the federal government said the union is restrained by an order of the national industrial court from embarking on any industrial action or strike regarding the removal of the petrol subsidy.
Although Femi Falana, a human rights lawyer, defended the union, arguing that the strike action did not translate into contempt of court and that peaceful protests were within its fundamental rights.
But Beatrice Jedy-Agba, solicitor-general of the federation, said the planned strike and the protests could not be termed as peaceful as they were intended to “ground the government by endangering public peace, instilling fear in the masses”.
