Court bars NLC, TUC from embarking on strike over subsidy removal
The National Industrial Court (NIC) has restrained the Organised Labour from embarking on strike over the removal of fuel subsidy.
The Federal Government obtained the court order restraining the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) from embarking on any form of strike on Monday.
NLC President Joe Ajaero, on Friday, after an emergency meeting of the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) in Abuja, said the government, particular the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) had up until Wednesday 6th June to revert to the old price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), adding that failure to meet the requirement would attract indefinite protest across the country.
According to the ruling filed before the court, Justice O.Y. Anuwe ordered the unions not to embark on their planned industrial action or strike of any nature pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice dated June 5, 2023, directing that the defendants be immediately served with the originating processes in the suit filed as it fixed June 19 for hearing.
See court documents:
Subsidy Removal Controversy
The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Bola Tinubu in his inaugural speech said the era of subsidy payment on fuel has ended, adding that with the 2023 budget making no provision for fuel subsidy, further payment was no longer justifiable.
“The fuel subsidy is gone,” Tinubu said. His government would instead channel funds into infrastructure and other areas to strengthen the economy, he added.
This led to an instant upsurge in the prices of fuel and queues across the country with Nigerians foraging for the premium product.
Although Tinubu’s decision received backing from the NNPCL and the House of Representatives, it has since been resisted by the NLC and TUC.
Meanwhile, the organized labour said the president cannot unilaterally take a decision on fuel subsidy. 
