The meeting between the federal government of Nigeria, labour unions and civil society groups over the increase in petrol price and electricity tariff, has ended without a resolution.
The Thursday meeting ended hours after a court granted an interim order barring the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) from embarking on a protest or strike over the price hike.
The meeting took place at the Old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa between 3 and 9 p.m.
Speaking after the meeting, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, appealed to the unions to put off their planned strike.
“Some progress was made and both sides had agreed certain palliatives should be put in place to cushion the harsh effect of the increases on the citizenry. Fruitful meeting. They are going back to their organs. When they consult their organs tomorrow, next tomorrow maybe they will take a new decision,” he said.
He said the meeting has been adjourned to September 28 to allow all parties consult their members over issues raised at the meeting.
Meanwhile, as the meeting between the government team and labour leaders was ongoing, the National Industrial Court in Abuja, granted an order of interim injunction restraining the NLC and the TUC from embarking on any strike.
The judge, Ibrahim Galadima, also restrained the NLC and TUC from stopping work in whatsoever form as planned from September 28 or any other subsequent date pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.
The court also granted an order of interim injunction restraining the unions from disrupting, restraining, picketing or preventing the workers or its affiliates or ordinary Nigerians from accessing their offices to carry out their legitimate duties on September 28, or any other subsequent date pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.
The judge gave the order following an ex-parte application filed by a relatively unknown group called Incorported Trustees of Peace and Unity Ambassadors Association through their counsel, Sanusi Musa.
The court ordered the police and the State Security Service to ensure no one seeking to go to work on September 28 is prevented by the two labour unions.
