The National Economic Council (NEC) Thursday appealed to the leadership and members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to shelve their planned nationwide strike over removal of fuel subsidy.
On Tuesday, the NLC and TUC said members of the organised labour would commence an indefinite strike from October 3, 2023 to protest the economic hardship Nigerian workers are facing as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government.
Addressing State House correspondents at the end of the 136th NEC meeting chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima in Abuja, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau state said the council appealed to the labour centres to explore dialogue in pressing home their demands.
He said there was the need for the organised labour to give the federal government more time to unveil its planned palliatives for the workers.
“The National Economic Council (NEC) deliberated on the planned indefinite strike by the National leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to proceed on an indefinite strike on October 3, 2023.
“The council noted further the implications of the planned strike on the economy and the nation and thus urge members to continue to engage with the leadership of their respective states.
“It appeals to them to suspend the action and to continue on the path of dialogue with the federal government. This is the appeal of the council.
“We also believe that President Bola Tinubu will be addressing the nation on October 1, and some of the concerns of labour will be appropriately addressed in the president’s speech.
“It is therefore important to note that it’s a federation issue, so whatever happens the labour is represented in all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT),” he said.
