NLC insists on strike, says “meeting beyond Ministry of Labour”

As the nationwide strike draws near, the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has said that the union does not have any date for a meeting with the federal government, which may lead to the suspension of the proposed strike scheduled to commence next Tuesday.

This is just as the organised labour vowed to mobilise all its affiliates and members across the country to ensure full compliance to the declaration of the proposed with a view to pressing home its demands until they are met.

According to the Head of Information and Public Affairs of NLC, Benson Upah, on Thursday, in a statement released, the issues on the ground were beyond what the Ministry of Labour and Employment could handle, saying its position was not to denigrate the Minister, Simon Lalong.

The statement reads, “Firstly, we do not have any agreement with the government to suspend the planned strike action. Neither do we have any date for a meeting with the government that may lead to suspending the proposed strike.

“While we do not intend to demean or minimise the office of the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, this matter is beyond the Ministry. This should have been obvious to them during our most recent meeting,” Upah said.

He said while they appreciate the role played by Lalong in securing the release of the executives of the National Union of Road Transport Workers from what was described as “unlawful or illegal” police detention, he noted that they take exception to the Ministry describing the executives as factional leaders.

Upah added, “They were lawfully elected into office. We still find it necessary to advise the police and those elements behind their travails to desist from this despicable and shameful conduct. They are advised to retrace their steps.

“If democracy is to be of meaning to us, then we should resist the urge or temptation for impunity. Enough is enough.”

The Informant247 had earlier reported that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had directed all its affiliates and members to shut down the nation’s activities from next week, Tuesday, October 3, 2023, over the federal government’s failure to meet all its demands.