The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, has officially informed the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) that their planned strike action on June 3 is illegal, unlawful, and unconstitutional.
He has strongly advised them to abandon the strike and return to the negotiation table in order to avoid violating labor dispute laws.
In a letter addressed to the leadership of both workers’ umbrella bodies, the AGF criticized the manner in which the strike was declared, stating that it flagrantly violated labor laws.
Citing relevant laws, the AGF maintained that both the NLC and TUC were required to provide a 15-day notice to the federal government before considering any strike action.
Furthermore, he pointed out that the two bodies had also disregarded the laws of the International Labour Organization (ILO), as the necessary conditions for declaring a strike were not fulfilled.
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The AGF emphasized that the National Industrial Court of Nigeria’s order, which prohibited the NLC and TUC from going on strike, is still in effect and binding on all parties involved in the labor dispute.
The letter, personally signed by the AGF, highlighted that the court’s order had not been appealed, stayed, or set aside by the NLC and TUC. He urged the leaders of the workers’ unions to respect the existing court order.
The AGF deemed the planned strike action premature, illegal, unlawful, and unconstitutional, and pleaded with the workers not to proceed with it.
However, he suggested that the two labor unions continue with the adjourned negotiation meeting, the date of which will be communicated to them.
Copies of the letter were sent to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief of Staff to the President, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, National Security Adviser, Inspector General of Police, and Director General of the State Security Service.
