Strike: Court restrains organised labour unions in Niger

Niger State government has secured an order of interim injunction restraining   Mr Idris Yahaya Ndako,  the chairman, Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Mr  Yunusa Tanimu,  the c hairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC), from calling civil and public servants in the  state on a strike,pending the determination of the motion on notice, which  was  fixed for Friday,  July 15.

The expertise order,according to the state Commissioner of Information, Youth and Culture, Jonathan Vatsa, a copy of which was made available to journalists in Minna, on Tuesday,   was granted by   Justice P.O Lifu,  of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Abuja, after considering Suit No:NICN/ABJ/259/2016.

The judge’s decision, the release added,  was premised on the provision of Section 254, paragraph “k” of the 1999 Constitution as amended, which gives the court exclusive powers on issues bordering on dispute arising from payment or non-payment of salaries of any employee.

Vatsa stated further that by the  order granted the  state government, the strike  planned for civil and public servants in  the  state, has become null and void and indeed, of no effect.

Therefore, all civil and public servants in  the  state are  advised to report to work and go about their normal businesses in their respective offices without fear of molestation or intimidation by any individual or group of individuals.

“Any civil and public servants found circumventing this court order, will have him or herself to blame,” the  release said.