President Bola Tinubu’s government has told the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) they cannot embark on any strike as they are barred by court.

The federal government was reacting to the seven-day ultimatum issued by the NLC to embark on industrial action over the hike in the price of petrol and the high cost of living in the country.

NLC, on Wednesday, issued the ultimatum for the federal government to reverse all “anti-poor” and “insensitive” policies.

However, in a statement, the permanent secretary, Ministry of Justice, B.E Jedy-Agba, said the union is restrained by the order of the national industrial court from embarking on any strike regarding the removal of petrol subsidy.

Jedy-Agba explained that the court had on June 5 granted an injunctive order restraining the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) “from embarking on the planned industrial action/or strike of any nature, pending the hearing and determination of the pending motion on notice”.

She advised the union to consider other means of negotiations with the federal government rather than “resorting to self-help and undermining the orders of the court”.