National Industrial Court (NIC) Restrains Organised Labour from Strike over Fuel Subsidy Removal

The National Industrial Court (NIC) has issued an order restraining the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) from carrying out a strike in response to the removal of fuel subsidy. 

The Federal Government obtained the order, which prohibits any form of industrial action, in a ruling on an exparte application presented before Justice O.Y. Anuwe.

The court has directed the unions to halt their planned strike until the motion on notice, dated June 5, 2023, is heard and determined. It has also instructed the defendants to be promptly served with the necessary legal documents. The court has scheduled June 19 for the hearing of the case.

see court documents:

The NLC had intended to initiate a nationwide strike starting Wednesday but was prevented from doing so due to the court order. 

NLC President Joe Ajaero announced during an emergency meeting of the union's National Executive Council (NEC) that the government, particularly the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, had until the following Wednesday to revert to the previous price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol. Failure to comply with the ultimatum would result in an indefinite protest across the country, according to Ajaero.

The controversy surrounding the removal of fuel subsidy began with a statement made by President Tinubu during his inaugural speech at the Eagle Square in Abuja on Monday. Tinubu declared an end to the era of subsidy payments for fuel and stated that the 2023 budget no longer allocated funds for this purpose. He emphasized that the government would redirect resources toward infrastructure and other sectors to strengthen the economy.

However, Tinubu's decision sparked the immediate reemergence of long queues at fuel stations throughout the country, as Nigerians scrambled to secure the premium product. While the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the House of Representatives supported the president's stance, it was met with resistance from the NLC and TUC.

Organised Labour argued that the President does not have the unilateral authority to decide on subsidy removal. 

TUC President Festus Osifo further contended that the previous administration of Muhammadu Buhari had deliberately deferred the "sensitive issue" to the new government, implying that it required careful consideration and consultation.