The Federal Government in its desperate effort to avert the Nigeria Labour Congress’ warning strike scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, says it is ready to meet with the labour union on Monday.
However, the labour union said there was no going back on the two-day warning strike, even as it affirmed that it remained open to negotiations with the government despite breaking its previous promises.
Recall that the NLC had in a communiqué jointly signed by its President, Joe Ajaero, and National Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, on Friday said the decision to go on nationwide strike followed the failure of the President Bola Tinubu-led government to dialogue with organised labour on efforts to cushion the effects of the removal of petrol subsidy on the “poor masses”.
The union accused the Federal Government of abandoning negotiations and failing to implement some of the resolutions from previous engagements with the government.
Following the declaration of the strike, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, told newsmen in an interview on Saturday that the government would meet with leaders of the union to avert the looming strike.
He said, “Definitely, we are hoping the warning strike can be averted. They are still engaged in discussions and have started to understand each other’s position more. They will meet again on Monday, but the gaps are being closed. You know the new minister just came in and has just begun to engage with the NLC. Going forward, you will see more expeditious engagement with the labour union. So far, tension has reduced but work is still in progress. By Monday, they will meet again and hopefully find an amicable resolution on the issue.”
Meanwhile, the Osun State Chairman of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, Mr Adebowale Adekola, said labour leaders in the state were ready to mobilise workers for the warning strike.
Adekola, who lamented the current economic hardship facing Nigerians following the removal of subsidy on fuel, said promises made to cushion the effects of the removal were not being fulfilled.
He added, “We are still expecting a directive from our national secretariat but we are always ready here in Osun. We are all feeling the pain. All of us will join the strike. There is an economic logjam. We are all feeling pain because of the removal of fuel subsidy. All the promises made are not being fulfilled. There is no other way for us but to down tools.”