The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has rejected the National Industrial Court (NIC) judgment favouring the federal government against the interest of the masses and workers in the country.

NLC president Joe Ajaero said this in a communique jointly signed with Emmanuel Ugboaja, the union’s general secretary, at the end of an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Tuesday in Abuja.

It said the NEC meeting was called to discuss the outcome of the NLC and federal government dialogue on the petroleum product price hike.

NLC had on June 3 ordered a nationwide strike that was supposed to commence on June 7 over the hike in fuel price. The federal government had sought a court injunction restraining the union from going on a nationwide strike.

The NLC said it resolved that there was a need to show the government that it was important to comply with laid-down laws and court rulings.

“Especially as it concerns obedience to the rulings of the courts and their brazen disregard for the 2023 Appropriation Act. To therefore support and accept the decision of the leadership of congress to suspend the proposed strike action in compliance with the flawed rulings of the NIC,” the labour union explained.

It added, “Also to allow negotiations to flow freely and enable final agreement during or after the 19th June, 2023, negotiation round with the federal government. To, however, register in strongest terms its disgust and disapproval of the ruling of the NIC for its continuous weaponisation of the instrument of ex parte injunction in favour of the government.”

NLC claimed “that is against the interests of Nigerian workers in defiance of the position of the Supreme Court on the use of this instrument.”

(NAN)