‘Give us more time, suspend planned two-day strike,’ FG appeals to NLC
Minister of Labour and Employment Mr Simon Lalong, Monday, launched an appeal to the Organised Labour to shelve its two-day nationwide warning strike fixed for Tuesday and Wednesday, September 5 and 6.
Speaking during a press conference in Abuja, Monday, Mr Lalong, said the strike if it carried out ‘would be detrimental to the gains already being recorded on our course to securing a greater future for Nigerian workers and citizens at large.’
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had announced, last Friday, after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of its resolve to embark on the two-day industrial action to draw attention of government to the plight of the Nigerian masses which it said was in dire condition over poor economic policies of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
However, the Minister in his press briefing, urged the Labour to suspend its intended 2-day warning strike, as he requested the NLC to give ‘this Government some time to settle and address the issues on the ground holistically.’
He said that the cabinet of the present administration was only recently sworn in by President Bola Tinubu and all 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 Hon. Minister of State for Labour and Employment are being briefed upon. In the next few weeks, we intend to address them holistically.
“Consequently, I use this opportunity to reassure Nigerian workers that this government would never take them for granted nor fail to appreciate their support and understanding.
“We shall continue to pursue policies aimed at massive employment generation in all sectors of the economy as well as look into immediate challenges that have emerged out of the policies of government. We cannot do this in an atmosphere devoid of industrial peace.”
The Minister also said that he is yet to receive official communication of the NLC Communiqué following its National Executive Council Meeting, as required by the law.
“Like many Nigerians, I and the Hon. Minister of State got the information from media sources. I believe my dear comrades will do the needful by following laid down processes for handling such matters since the cabinet is now in place unlike previously when there was no cabinet on the ground.
“In specific terms, let me take the issues presented by the NLC one after the other. On the issue of subsidy removal, palliative measures are already being handled and implemented, beginning with the State and local governments.
“You will recall that on the directive of Mr. President, the Federal Government dispatched trucks of rice and other grains to States for immediate distribution to most vulnerable citizens.
“In addition, the National Economic Council under the Chairmanship of His Excellency the Vice President approved the disbursement of N5 billion to the 36 States and the FCT for purchase and distribution of more palliatives and further interventions.
“However, the Government has to take these decisions now rather than delay them further and put the nation into more difficulties that might be impossible to reverse.”
