The federal government has till Friday to accede to the demands of the Nigeria Labour Congress, or else there could be further labour unrest.
While pleading for more time to resolve the labour movement’s complaints, this occurred.
The leadership of the labour movement reminded the government explicitly that no one could accuse it of not giving the government more than enough time to fulfil its demands, according to information acquired during the meeting between the Ministry of Labour and Employment and NLC, which was resumed.
Among the demands are wage awards, tax exemptions and allowances for public sector employees, a decrease in the cost of governance, the provision of compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, the release of N70 billion in modalities for SMEs, the release of officials of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) by the police, and a vacation of the occupation of Police-backed Interlopers.
One of the NLC leaders present at the meeting claimed that Joe Ajaero, the NLC president, and others made mention of the 21-day deadline’s impending expiration and expressed the hope that the union’s demands would be addressed by the government before then.
On Friday, September 22, the deadline set by our 21-day ultimatum will expire. Remember that on September 1, 2023, we gave you the command. The administration has till Friday to respond to our demands or run the risk of more labour unrest, Comrade Ajaero has made that clear.
“He referenced the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, mess and demanded that the Police and Federal government be summoned to order to grant the union some breathing room.
The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, FMLE, is authorised to address the NURTW issue, and the ministry may do so right now.
“Ajaero responded that no one can accuse the congress of not giving the government reasonable time because we have given the government more than enough time to act at the closed-door meeting that was held after the break when the Minister of Labour, Simon Lalong, who called the meeting, asked NLC to give the government more time to address our demands.
We’ve already given the government a reasonable amount of time, so it’s unfair to ask us to do it again. In the final days of the ultimatum, he pleaded with the minister to take quick action.
“He told the minister it was difficult for the congress to adjourn the meeting without accomplishing some of our goals. We won’t advise Nigerians to give the government enough time based on the situation we are in.
“The administration must thus comply with our demands by Friday. To meet the demands of the moment, the NLC will after Friday conduct any industrial action it considers necessary, the source said.
The Federal Government is dedicated to resolving the legitimate issues raised by the NLC, according to earlier comments made by Labour Minister Simon Lalong.
Lalong, who was accompanied by Minister of State Nkeiruka Onyejecha, told the NLC that it recognised and appreciated the crucial part the organisation played in advancing the rights and welfare of workers in the nation. He also begged for cooperation and understanding, saying that efforts were being made to address the teething issues.
Ajaero bemoaned the lack of confidence between the government and the NLC in an interview with journalists that followed the meeting.
The strike, he declared, was a result of a non-humane policy. Prior to the elimination of fuel subsidies, there was no strike. Government officials told us to ask for painkillers and wages, and we did. Up until this point, frustration was the source of the warning strike.
The issue of CNG, operating refineries, wage awards, and financial transfers are present. You want us to hold daily meetings despite the fact that the administration has not addressed even one of these agreements.
“Some of us have been here a while, and it’s not our job to go on strike; instead, you should follow through on agreements you make,” one of us said. The topics of palliative care, salary awards, and the NURTW were brought up prior to the warning strike.
“Neither someone making N30,000 nor N60,000 will purchase fuel for a week. All of these issues have been identified, and we now need to find answers. They request more time every time we finish.
The eight weeks they requested were granted. Four weeks were granted to them as requested. Again, we’re not sure what to say to our members or coworkers.
The government is dedicated to responding to any issue brought up by the NLC in a fair and just way, according to Simon Lalong, the minister of labour.
However, he emphasised that as it works to meet the demands of the worker force, it must be aware of finding a balance that fosters economic growth and ensures sustainable progress for the country.
We understand the legitimate issues that contributed to the recent labour crisis, and we are determined to resolving them in a just and equitable manner, Lalong stated.
In order to overcome the current labour problem and foster the nation’s economic growth, he expressed gratitude for the NLC’s attendance at the meeting.
The economy has suffered as a result of recent teething problems in our nation, which have been accompanied by strikes and other forms of turmoil.
“I appear before you today not just as a representative of the government, but also as a proponent of constructive dialogue, aspiring to understand your concerns and working side by side to find long-term solutions that benefit all Nigerians,” he continued.
