Court Stops NLC, TUC From Embarking On Planned Strike Over Minimum Wage

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria has ordered the organised labour, comprising the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress not to embark on its indefinite strike scheduled to commence on November 6.

Justice Sanusi Kado, on Friday, gave the order in a ruling on an ex parte application moved on behalf of the Federal Government by the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. Dayo Apata.

Agreeing with Apata, Justice Kado ruled that if the strike is allowed it would lead to huge economic loss to both public and private institutions and could jeopardise the health of many Nigerians who would not be able to access health facilities during the period.

The organised labour had threatened to commence an indefinite strike action to press for the increase in the national minimum wage from the current N18,000.

The state governors on Wednesday October 31st, announced their readiness to increase the minimum wage from N18, 500 to N22, 500. The Federal government have since rejected the proposed minimum wage by the state governors while the National leadership of the NLC and TUC have said that it is either N30, 000 or they go on strike.

The hearing of the main suit has been fixed for Thursday November 8th.