September 18, (THEWILL) -The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has welcomed the invitation for talks with the Federal Government over its planned nationwide strike.
THEWILL, on Sunday, reported that the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, had directed the Department of Trade Unions Services and Industrial Relations at the Ministry to convene a meeting with the leadership of the NLC for Monday, 18th September 2023, over its planned strike.
The Congress, on Tuesday, September 12, had threatened to embark on an indefinite strike “from next week if the Federal Government fails to meet its demands” over the removal of fuel subsidy.
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, had on September 2, said its National Executive Committee (NEC) had resolved that workers embarked “on a total and indefinite shutdown of the nation within 14 working days or 21 days until steps are taken by the Government to address the excruciating mass suffering and impoverishment being experienced around the country.”
Labour had, on Tuesday, September 5, embarked on a two-day warning strike to demonstrate readiness for the indefinite strike.
The 21-day ultimatum given for a total strike ends this week, hence the need to parley with labour leaders for an amicable resolution.
Amid efforts to avert the planned indefinite strike, the Federal Government has extended an invitation to the labour leaders for a parley today to resolve what it called all “pending matters”.
Expressing its desire to honour the invitation, a top Labour House source assured the Congress would attend the meeting as scheduled.
He said the leadership of the Congress was open for dialogue, adding: “We are concerned about the plights of Nigerians and will avail ourselves anytime for dialogue toward resolving them.
“Yes, we received an invitation on Friday, for a meeting by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Simon Lalong. The Congress has always believed that it is through dialogue that disputes can be resolved. We will attend the meeting with an open mind with the hope that the Government will be sincere in resolving the issues.”
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