The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says it would embark on a nationwide strike from August 14, 2023, if the court summons is not withdrawn by the Federal Government.

The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, said this in a communique jointly signed with the NLC General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, on Thursday, August 3.

The communique was issued at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the NLC.

It would be recalled that the labour unions embarked on a nationwide mass protest over they described as anti-poor policies of the government, especially the removal of subsidy that had brought untold hardship to Nigerians.

The Federal Ministry of Justice, through the National Industrial Court (NICN), later issued the leadership of the unions summons on contempt of court for embarking on protest.

Ajaero, however, said NLC NEC observed the Ministry of Justice through the NICN had continued to allow itself to be used as a vehicle to truncate the dominance of the tenets of democracy and muzzle/silence the voices of Nigerian workers.

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He added: “NEC-in-session resolved to go on total strike across the country any day labour leaders are summoned to court by the government through the NICN.

“To demand the immediate withdrawal of this litigious terrorism by the Federal Ministry of Justice before the end of work Friday, the 11th of August.

“To embark on a nationwide comprehensive strike beginning August 14 if this contemptuous court summons are not withdrawn by whosoever initiated it.”

The NLC President stated that the union was committed to maintaining the required vigilance needed to hold the government accountable on its assurances and governance in general.

Ajaero added that the NLC was committed to the terminal date of August 19, within which the issues around the petroleum price hike will be agreed given the assurances of President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly.

He however said NEC in session commended the national leadership and all the state officers for the effective coordination of the protest.

He, therefore, urged all affiliates and state councils, including civil society allies to stay further action but to remain focused and vigilant.

The Star