The Federal Government on Sunday sent an invitation to the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its counterpart, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) for a fresh meeting with the intention of averting the looming indefinite strike occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy. The union had given a 3-week ultimatum to embark on an indefinite strike over fuel subsidy removal. On September 1, Joe Ajaero, NLC president, declared that the labour union would go on a two-day warning strike from September 5.
Ajearo also noted that the labour body would be left with no option but to declare an indefinite strike if the government failed to act at the end of its two-day warning strike.
The Labour and Employment Minister Simon Lalong, while inviting the unions for discussion was quoted by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations Olajide Oshundun saying “The Minister of Labour and Employment Simon Bako Lalong has again invited the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC for another meeting over its planned indefinite strike.”
“The Minister who directed the Department of Trade Unions Services and Industrial Relations to convene a meeting with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for Monday 18th September 2023 said it was important that the Unions sit with Government to resolve all pending matters to avert further disruption to the economy.”
He quoted the minister as reiterating President Bola Tinubu’s government’s commitment to “always engage the organised labour and respond to its concerns after due consultation and negotiations.
This is “in order to guarantee industrial harmony which is critical to the attainment of the Renewed Hope Agenda”.
