Nigerian government officials have cautioned that workers who participate in the proposed nationwide strike could face a six-month jail sentence, due to their failure to comply with the Trade Disputes Act.
According to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, in a statement issued on Sunday, it has been made clear that the proposed nationwide strike by labour unions is illegal, as the Trade Disputes Act requires workers to give a 15-day notice to their employers before going on strike.
Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, warned that any workers employed in essential services who fail to give their employers a 15-day notice before ceasing their services will be liable on conviction to a fine or imprisonment for a period of six months, as stipulated in Section 18 of the Trade Disputes Act.
Lateef Fagbemi emphasized the crucial nature of the 15-day notice, explaining that the gravity of this requirement is underscored by Sections 41 and 42(1)(b) of the Trade Disputes Act, which criminalize non-compliance with the provision.
The Attorney General of the Federation also noted that the federal government had been actively engaging with stakeholders in the tripartite committee to reach an agreement on a new national minimum wage and that there had been no formal declaration of an end to negotiation efforts.
Lateef Fagbemi added that the proposed nationwide strike would be a breach of an order issued by the National Industrial Court, as well as a violation of the ongoing efforts of mediators to reach a settlement on issues connected to the subject matter of the order.
“You are further invited to recall the pendency of the interim injunctive order granted on 5th June 2023 in suit no: NICN/ABJ/158/2023 — FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA & ANOR VV. NIGERIAN LABOUR CONGRESS & ANOR, which order restrained both NLC from embarking on any industrial action or strike of any nature,” he said.
“While the government assures that it would continue to adopt a conciliatory approach to resolving matters pertaining to workers’ and citizens’ welfare in the spirit of collective bargaining, I would like to urge you to kindly reconsider the declaration of strike action and return to the ongoing negotiation meetings, which has been adjourned to a date to be communicated to parties.
“This would be a more civil and patriotic approach and will enable your Congress to pursue its cause within the ambit of the law and avoid foisting avoidable hardships on the generality of Nigerians. which this proposed industrial action is bound to cause.”
Comentarios