The National Industrial Court of Nigeria has given an order restraining the organised labour from embarking on its proposed indefinite strike scheduled to begin on November 6.
Justice Sanusi Kado, on Friday, gave the order while ruling on an ex parte moved brought by, Mr. Dayo Apata Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice on behalf of the Federal Government.
Ruling in favour of Apata, Kado held that if the strike is allowed it would lead to huge economic loss to both public and private institutions and could jeopardise the health of many Nigerians who would not be able to access health facilities during the period.
The Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress had threatened to go on an indefinite strike if the government failed to increase the national minimum wage.
At the beginning of its quest to have the minimum wage raised from N18, 000, labour had asked for N66, 5OO, but was prevailed on to reduce their demand to N30, 000.
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The last meeting of the tripartite negotiation committee on the minimum wage held earlier in the week ended in deadlock. While the Federal Government insisted that it could only pay N25,000, the governors said they would pay N22,500.
Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara had insisted that what was important for the governors was the capacity to hence the N22, 500 offer.
This however, did not go down well with labour as the leaders called on members to mobilse for the strike.
Joined as defendant in the suit is the NGF.
Hearing of the motion on notice seeking the interlocutory injunction to stop the strike has been adjourned to November 8.
Meanwhile, the judge ordered that the court order and other papers be served on all the defendant before the next adjourned date.
