Renowned human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has asserted that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its allies have the legal right to protest against government policies that negatively affect their members. In contrast, the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Assembly (NECA) has expressed concerns over recent mobilization by the NLC and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) for industrial strikes and civil actions, warning about potential danger to sustainable enterprises and national development in Nigeria. Meanwhile, the TUC announced plans to meet this week to decide on the next course of action to press the government to address its demands.
Falana, in a letter addressed to the Federal Ministry of Justice and Solicitor General of the Federation, stressed that the NLC was not in contempt of any court order, refuting the government’s accusation of the NLC treating the National Industrial Court’s order with contempt. He emphasized that the right to demonstrate and protest on matters of public concern was a fundamental right that should be exercised without impediment as long as no wrongful act is committed.
NECA, on the other hand, expressed its concern about the NLC and TUC’s call for strikes and mass actions, citing potential threats to sustainable enterprises and national development. NECA urged the government to urgently address the country’s economic challenges to avert further protests. The organization emphasized the importance of social dialogue as a mechanism for dispute resolution and called for a coordinated implementation of pro-growth and palliative schemes to mitigate economic trauma faced by workers and businesses.
The TUC has expressed its intent to meet this week to decide on the next steps in addressing its demands with the government. As the situation remains tense, all parties are closely watching how the government and unions will engage in dialogue to find a resolution to the issues at hand.
