The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Sunday said it was ready for the parley with the federal government as called by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Simon Lalong.
Labour had, penultimate week, called out its members on a two-day warning strike to protest the fuel subsidy removal leading to a high pump price of the Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) with its attendant suffering among Nigerians.
The 21-day ultimatum given for a total strike ends this week, hence the need to parley the labour leaders for an amicable resolution.
With past unsuccessful efforts, the federal government extended a fresh invitation to the labour leaders for a parley today to resolve what it called all pending matters.
The invitation was contained in a statement issued Sunday by the Director Information, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Olajide Oshundun.
“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 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.
“According to the Minister, the administration of President Bola Tinubu will always engage the organised labour and respond to its concerns after due consultation and negotiations in order to guarantee industrial harmony which is critical to the attainment of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Oshundun said.
…‘We‘re ready’
Speaking to Blueprint under anonymity, a top Labour House source assured the Congress would attend the meeting as scheduled.
He said the leadership of the Congress was open for dialogue, adding “we are concerned about the plights of Nigerians and will avail ourselves anytime for dialogue toward resolving them.
“Yes, we received an invitation on Friday for a meeting by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Simon Lalong. The Congress has always believed that it is true dialogue that dispute can be resolved. We will attend the meeting with an open mind with hope that Government will be sincere on resolving the issues.”
The minister said the Bola Tinubu administration would always engage the organised labour and respond to its concerns after due consultation and negotiations in order to guarantee industrial harmony which is critical to the attainment of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Lalong had invited the two Labour centres for talks to avert the two-day strike held between 5th and 6th September, but only the Trade union Congress (TUC) showed up for the meeting.
