FG to Falana: Peaceful Protests No Justification for Disrupting, Shutting Down Essential Services

•Reiterates interim order bars NLC from industrial action

Alex Enumah in Abuja

As the organised labour insist on proceedings with its planned nationwide protest, over increasing cost of living occasioned by the recent increase in pump price of petrol, the federal government has cautioned against the disrupting or shutting down of essential services in the country.

Consequently, the federal government urged the lawyer to the organised labour, Mr Femi Falana, to prevail on labour to halt the proposed mass protest scheduled to commence from Wednesday, In a letter to the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), dated July 31, the federal government through the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mrs Beatrice Jedy-Agba, reminded of the interim order restraining the NLC from proceeding on any form of industrial action.

In the letter titled, “Re: NLC Not in Contempt of Court,”  Jedy-Agba pointed out that, “It is incumbent on your law firm to sensitise the labour unions that peaceful protests are no justification for disrupting or shutting down essential services, which is tantamount to a strike action.”

While clarifying that the federal government at no time threatened labour with contempt of court as misconstrued by labour, the Solicitor General however, argued that parties are expected to maintain the status quo even in the absence of a restraining order.

“The issue of peaceful protests and police permit are also not in contention; however, you may wish to be guided by the contents of the Communique issued by the National Executive Council of NLC at the end of its meeting of 27 July 2023.

“The decision or projected cause of action by NLC are directed principally in furtherance of issues connected with hike in fuel price and consequential matters of palliatives and workers welfare.

“We assert that it is grossly inappropriate to lead public protest in respect of issues relating to or connected with fuel price increase, which are currently before the court”, she stated.

Jedy-Agba claimed that from the NLC’s communique issued last week, it was apparent that the current move by NLC goes beyond peaceful protest by the issuance of a seven-day ultimatum for government to meet its demands and also embark on a nation-wide action to compel government to reverse alleged anti-worker policies.

“We reiterate that the interim order clearly restrained NLC from embarking on industrial action of any nature. It is common knowledge that strike is only a form of industrial action.

“NLC has expressed intention to embark on a nation-wide action to force the government (employer) to agree to its demands.

“Furthermore, the participation of workers in the protest will result in restriction, or limitation on, or a delay in the performance of work.

“The foregoing, inclusive of the purported peaceful protest (in view of its intended aims or purposes), undoubtedly amounts to an industrial action.