Court orders teachers to suspend strike in Enugu

National Industrial Court of Nigeria sitting in Enugu on Friday ordered primary school teachers in the state to suspend their planned strike action pending the hearing of a substantial case filed by the state government.

The presiding judge, Oluwakayode Arowosegbe said that teachers are essential service workers and would not be allowed to embark on strike according to labour laws, stressing that the strike would sabotage the economy of the state and the country.

He, however, warned the state government to stop threatening the teachers and enjoined both parties to maintain the status quo until the substantial case is heard.

Recall that the Enugu State government went to court seeking an injunction to stop primary school teachers from embarking on strike. The teachers had issued a seven-day ultimatum to the government within which to pay the national minimum wage or face industrial action.