The Federal Government has urged the Nigeria Labour Congress leadership to cancel a planned two-day warning strike set to begin on Tuesday, September 5.
On Monday, September 4, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, made the appeal in Abuja.
He stated that the strike would jeopardize the FG’s successes while pledging to address the competing issues brought by the NLC holistically if given some time to settle into the office.
“It has become pertinent to appeal to the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to cancel its intended two-day warning strike, as such action would be detrimental to the gains already being recorded on our course to securing a greater future for Nigerian workers and citizens at large. Furthermore, I would request that the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress gives this government some time to settle and address the issues on the ground holistically.
“It should be realised that the cabinet of this administration was only recently sworn in by Mr. President and all cabinet 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 from the policies of the government. We cannot do this in an atmosphere devoid of industrial peace,” he said.
Last week, the NLC announced plans to hold a two-day warning strike beginning on Tuesday, September 5, in protest of the Federal Government’s inability to address Nigerians’ concerns about the elimination of fuel subsidies.