FG withdraws contempt proceedings against Organised Labour

<p>The Federal Government says it has withdrawn the contempt of court proceedings against organised labour for embarking on a nationwide protest.</p>, <p>This is contained in a letter addressed to the lead counsel to the NLC, Falana and Falana’s Chambers, and obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.</p>, <p>The letter dated Aug. 7 to Falana’s Chambers was signed by the Solicitor General of the Federation, Mrs. B.E. Jeddy-Agba.</p>, <p>NAN reports that the Federal Ministry of Justice had through the National Industrial Court (NICN) issued the leadership of organised labour summons on contempt of court for embarking on the protest.</p>, <p>NAN also recalls that organised labour had threatened to embark on a nationwide strike on Aug. 14 if the Federal Government failed to withdraw its contempt of court charges.</p>, <p>Organised labour had embarked on mass protests over the anti-poor policies of the government, especially the removal of subsidy that had brought untold hardship to Nigerians.</p>, <p>The letter reads: “Kindly recall the exchange of correspondence between the ministry and your office on the need for compliance with the extant court orders, restraining industrial action of any kind on the part of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress.</p>, <p>“The position of the ministry was informed by the need to safeguard the integrity of the court and prevent avoidable service disruptions or damage to public facilities.</p>, <p>“In spite of these exchanges/interventions, the labour unions on Aug. 2, proceeded with the industrial action through public pretests”.</p>, <p>It also said the protest led to disruption of work and the eventual pulling down of the gate of the National Assembly.</p>, <p>“The foregoing, it said, prompted the ministry to initiate contempt proceedings by tiling Form 48 on the same date, August 2, 2023, in accordance with Section 72 of the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act and Order 9 Rule 13 of the Judgement (Enforcement) Rules.</p>, <p>“It is trite that the