The federal government has reacted to the seven-day ultimatum handed to it by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
Rising from after its Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting held on Tuesday, the workforce body asked the government to reverse all “anti-poor” and “insensitive” policies or it would commence the strike on August 2.
The policies, the union said, include the recent hike in the price of petrol, increase in public school fees, among others.
Last week, oil marketers in Nigeria increased the pump price of petrol at retail outlets to N617 per litre in Abuja and N565 per litre in Lagos.
However, in a statement Wednesday night, B.E. Jedy-Agba, solicitor general of the federation, the government reminded the NLC of a subsisting court order barring it from embarking on strike in connection with the removal of fuel subsidy.
Early last month, the National Industrial Court (NIC) restrained the Organised Labour from embarking on strike over the removal of fuel subsidy.
Justice O.Y. Anuwe ordered the unions not to embark on their planned industrial action or strike of any nature pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice dated June 5, 2023.
The court also directed that the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) who are defendants be immediately served with the originating processes in the suit filed as it fixed June 19 for hearing.
