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Nigeria unions to press ahead with strike despite court ruling Nigeria unions pressing ahead with strike despite court ruling
(about 2 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. Nigeria's main trade union federation is pressing ahead with a general strike, 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 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%. It is not immediately clear how widely the strike is being observed. Public schools in Abuja remain open.
The TUC, however, has said that it is suspending strike action. Banks, markets and many government offices are also open and there is heavy traffic on the capital's roads.
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.
"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.
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Another union grouping, the Trade Union Congress, earlier said it was suspending strike action by its members.
And it was unclear how many NLC members were joining 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.
The government called the strike "illegal" and said it would invoke the "no work, no pay" rule against any workers who joined the industrial action.
Officials said attendance of public sector workers would be monitored and security agents had been deployed to respond to any acts intended to deter employees from going to work, such as locking of offices or blocking of roads.
'Dead end'
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 on Tuesday after the union's delegation walked out of a meeting with government officials.
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."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.""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.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.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.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.