Nigeria’s two largest labor unions launched on Tuesday a nationwide strike that is expected to continue indefinitely, until “the government at all levels wakes up to their responsibilities.” The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) jointly announced the strike in defiance of a court order following the assault of the NLC President Joe Ajaero by Nigerian authorities.

The NLC and TUC put forward six conditions, which they claim must be met before they call off the strike. They assert that the state government has infringed upon workers’ rights by unlawfully terminating the employment of more than 600 workers, while, at the same time, accumulating 42 months-worth of overdue payments to both workers and pensioners.

Previously, legal representatives of the federal government submitted a motion to nullify the proposed strike, contending that it would impose suffering on law-abiding citizens and their businesses. On November 10, the National Industrial Court, under Justice Beneduct Backwash, issued an injunction preventing labor unions from initiating a strike in the state. In response, the presidency in a press release stated, “The labour movement has always been a champion of rule of law and respect for the judiciary. It is a sad irony that the current labour leaders have shown disdain and utter disregard for court order.”

The NLC however insists that it had not been duly notified of the court order filed against it by the federal government. They continue to advocate for the application of social dialogue instead of the adjudication of trade disputes and express a readiness to participate in such discussions given the opportunity by the federal government.

NLC members previously went on strike in early September over Nigeria’s cost of living crisis. Just as they did during their Tuesday announcement, in September, the NLC pointed to “the federal government’s failure to establish essential structures to address the widespread suffering in our nation.”