NLC Shuns Meeting With Labour Minister Over Planned Strike

Kazeem Badmus

The national leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has shunned the last-minute reconciliatory meeting convened by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, to avert the two-day warning strike already declared by the labour centre.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that only the leadership of the Trade Union Congress, led by its President, Festus Osifo, showed up for the meeting slated for 3 p.m. but which started at exactly 5:32 p.m.

The medium reports that on Friday, the NLC in a communique jointly signed by its national president, Joe Ajaero and Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, said it decided to embark on a two-day warning strike following what was described as the failure of the Tinubu-led Federal Government to dialogue and engage stakeholders within the organised labour on efforts to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal on Premium Motor Spirit, popular known as petrol, on the “poor masses”.

Already, the organised labour in August staged a one-day protest, which grounded activities in major cities across the country.

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While listing other reasons why it would mobilize its members for the nationwide shutdown, the NLC accused the police of laying siege at the national headquarters of the National Union of Road Transport Workers; alleged exploitation of the rights of workers in Imo state; interference in trade union matters by the Abia State government and proposed demolition by the new minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, among others.