The Federal Government of Nigeria has invited the national labour union, Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), over its plan to embark on an indefinite strike.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, invited the labour union for discussions as the NLC had resolved to shut down the country due to the removal of petroleum subsidy and economic hardship in Nigeria.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Ministry of Labour and signed by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Olajide Oshundun, on Sunday.
“The Minister of Labour and Employment Simon Bako Lalong has again invited the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC for another meeting over its planned indefinite strike,” the statement read.
“The Minister who directed the Department of Trade Unions Services and Industrial Relations to convene a meeting with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for Monday 18th September 2023 said it was important that the Unions sit with Government to resolve all pending matters to avert further disruption to the economy.”
The minister reiterated the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s government to “always engage the organised labour and respond to its concerns after due consultation and negotiations.
He said the invitation is “in order to guarantee industrial harmony which is critical to the attainment of the Renewed Hope Agenda”.
Prior to Sunday’s invitation, Minister Lalong had invited the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) for discussions to prevent the two-day strike held between September 5 and 6.
The statement however added that “only the TUC showed up for the meeting.”
Members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) declared a two-day warning strike earlier this month, prompting various state chapters of the organised labour union to express their intention to join the industrial action.
Leadership representatives from the state chapters of the labour unions, in separate interviews with our correspondents, issued directives to their members to participate in the warning strike two weeks ago.
Chairwoman of the NLC Lagos chapter, Agnes Sessi, had confirmed that Lagos NLC would join the nationwide strike, stating, “We are under the authority of our national leadership, and whatever is decided at the national level is binding on us. So, yes, we are joining the strike.”