The Federal Government has described as illegal and premature the planned indefinite strike by the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress billed to commence on Monday.
The Attorney-General of the federation, Lateef Fagbemi in a statement issued over the weekend said the proposed strike action by the union is also at variance with the order of the National Industrial Court granted on 5th June 2023 and ongoing mediators settlement efforts over the issues.
He said the latest declaration of strike action by organized labour is premature at a time when the Federal Government and other stakeholders involved in the tripartite committee on determination of a new national minimum wage had not declared an end to negotiation.
Fagbemi drew the attention of the organised labour to Section 41 and 42 subsection one of the Trade Disputes Act 2004 which requires both NLC and TUC to issue mandatory strike notices of a minimum of 15 days.
That at no time did either NLC or TUC declare a trade dispute with their employers, or issue any strike notice as required by law for such strike action to be lawful.
Therefore they have failed to comply with the statutory condition precedents provided for under Section 18, subsection 1 (a) of the Trade Disputes Act 2004.
EDITOR: TIENABESO BIBIYE
