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Nigeria unions to press ahead with strike despite court ruling | |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Nigeria's main trade union federation says it will press ahead with a general strike on Wednesday, despite a court injunction against the action. | |
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) announced that the strike would go ahead after walking out of talks with the government. | The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) announced that the strike would go ahead after walking out of talks with the government. |
The NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) called the strike after the government raised fuel prices by 67%. | The NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) called the strike after the government raised fuel prices by 67%. |
The TUC, however, has said that it is suspending strike action. | The TUC, however, has said that it is suspending strike action. |
It was also unclear how many NLC members would join the strike. | |
The BBC's Chris Ewokor in Abuja said one NLC faction, which includes workers in the oil and gas sector, opposed the strike and was not planning to take part. | |
Earlier, the National Industrial Court had ruled the strike should not go ahead because of the risk of civil disorder. | Earlier, the National Industrial Court had ruled the strike should not go ahead because of the risk of civil disorder. |
"The decision... is that strike continues tomorrow. We have reached a dead end," NLC President Ayuba Wabba said after the union's delegation walked out of a meeting with government officials. | "The decision... is that strike continues tomorrow. We have reached a dead end," NLC President Ayuba Wabba said after the union's delegation walked out of a meeting with government officials. |
Africa Live: More on this and other news stories | Africa Live: More on this and other news stories |
Why is Africa's largest oil producer short of petrol? | Why is Africa's largest oil producer short of petrol? |
Buhari's battle to clean up Nigeria's oil industry | Buhari's battle to clean up Nigeria's oil industry |
The government called the decision by the NLC, which represents millions of workers, "regrettable". | The government called the decision by the NLC, which represents millions of workers, "regrettable". |
"Government, therefore, calls upon and advises all workers to respect the laws of the land and to desist from participating in an illegal strike action," said spokesman David Babachir Lawal. | "Government, therefore, calls upon and advises all workers to respect the laws of the land and to desist from participating in an illegal strike action," said spokesman David Babachir Lawal. |
The court order followed an application by Justice Minister Abubakar Malami. | The court order followed an application by Justice Minister Abubakar Malami. |
"It is the order of this court that [the] status quo be maintained," Judge Babatunde Adejumo said in his ruling. | |
"The defendants are hereby restrained from carrying out the [strike] threat." | |
'Criminal' | 'Criminal' |
The government announced last week that petrol prices would be increased in an attempt to ease fuel shortages. | |
Petroleum Minister Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu said the move should stabilise the market. | |
The NLC branded the price rise "criminal" and called for it to be reversed. | The NLC branded the price rise "criminal" and called for it to be reversed. |
In 2012, the government was forced to back down from a similar price rise after nationwide protests. | |
Despite being one of Africa's largest oil producers, Nigeria has to import fuel to meet demand as its refineries are dilapidated and work at a fraction of their capacity. | Despite being one of Africa's largest oil producers, Nigeria has to import fuel to meet demand as its refineries are dilapidated and work at a fraction of their capacity. |