September 4, (THEWILL) – The Federal Government has appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), to suspend its proposed 2-day nationwide warning strike over economic hardship.
The NLC had in a communiqué, issued at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, said it would commence a 2-day nationwide warning strike from Sept. 5 to Sept. 6. The Union also threatened to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike within 14 working days or 21 days from when the communiqué was issued, unless the Federal Government addressed the excruciating suffering of Nigerians.
Speaking on Monday, at a news conference in Abuja, Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, appealed to the leadership of the NLC to suspend its warning strike.
The Minister, who said he was yet to be served official communication of the NLC communiqué, following its NEC meeting as required by law, urged the NLC to do the needful by following laid down processes for handling such matters since the cabinet was on ground.
Lalong, however, said the appeal had become necessary in order to ensure robust line of communication with Nigerians and in particular the organised labour to forestall a breakdown of industrial peace.
“As such action would be detrimental to the gains already being recorded on our course to securing a greater future for Nigerian workers and citizens at large.
“Furthermore, I would request that the Comrade Leadership of the NLC gives this government some time to settle and address the issues on the ground holistically.
“It should be realised that the Cabinet of this administration was only recently sworn in by Mr President and all cabinet members have hit the ground running by receiving briefings from their MDAs.
“Therefore, the issues raised by the leadership of the NLC are some issues that I and the Minister of State for Labour and Employment are being briefed upon”, he said.
Lalong added that this would enable government look into immediate challenges that have emerged out of its policies, saying “we cannot do this in an atmosphere devoid of industrial peace.
“Allow me to first express my sympathy and that of the government of President Bola Tinubu to Nigerians and in particular the workers.
“That is over the challenges that have arisen from the removal of petrol subsidy and other policies of the government aimed at renewing hope for the future of our dear nation.
“In light of these matters, I would like to reiterate my appeal to the leadership of the NLC to suspend the warning strike and subsequent future actions.
“To allow us to work together to amicably resolve these issues rather than embark on actions that would further worsen the conditions of the citizens of Nigeria”, he said.
