The Federal Government has warned workers under its agencies not to join the planned strike by labour unions across the country scheduled to start on Monday, 28th September, 2020.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and other organized bodies had called on all workers across the country to embark on an indefinite industrial action on Monday over the price of petrol and electricity tariff.
But the head of Head of Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, in a statement issued on Friday has directed all civil servants to be at work, saying the government is engaging with the union officials over the issue.
She warned workers under the federal government not to join the planned strike by labour unions across the country.
Yemi-Esan stated that: “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 (OHCSF) 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,” she stated further.
This directive by the Head of Service comes after in two separate rulings on Thursday and Friday, the National Industrial Court had restrained the labour unions from embarking on the strike.
Governors of the 36 states of the federation have also shared the Federal Government’s stance to make unions shelve its plan. The Nigeria Governors Forum cautioned the unions against embarking on a nationwide industrial action.
