JUST IN: Details Of FG, NLC Meeting To Prevent Indefinite Strike Emerge
The meeting between the Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) aimed at averting an imminent strike action concluded on Monday without arriving at a definitive resolution to the union’s demands.
In attendance were the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, and Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, along with NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and other leaders. This effort was made in Abuja to prevent organised labour from initiating another industrial action.
The meeting is slated to reconvene at a later date. Additionally, the minister is scheduled to convene a meeting with the leadership of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) today.
This impasse arose after Lalong extended an invitation to the NLC for discussions in light of the union’s proposed nationwide strike, prompted by the removal of fuel subsidies and the prevailing hardships in the country.
In a prior instance, the minister had invited both the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) for talks to avert the two-day strike held between September 5 and 6. However, only the TUC participated in the meeting.
Addressing Labour’s demands during Monday’s session, Lalong pledged to collaborate with organised labour to address their concerns in an equitable manner. He implored the labour leaders to engage in candid and pragmatic discussions. The minister also expressed confidence that the meeting would lead to a resolution in the best interest of the nation.
In response, NLC President Joe Ajaero conveyed his team’s presence at the meeting with a mix of hopefulness and uncertainty, eager to ascertain whether tangible progress would be made.
He noted that similar meetings in the past had failed to yield positive outcomes. Ajaero emphasized that previous strikes, referred to by the minister, were a consequence of the frustration Nigerian workers experienced due to the impacts of the removal of fuel subsidies.
According to him, none of the agreements with the Federal Government were addressed despite numerous meetings that were held.
Ajaero also strongly condemned the intrusion into the office of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), which resulted in the arrest and detention of some of its leaders. He asserted that this action alone provides sufficient grounds for the NLC to proceed with their planned strike.
