Abuja – October 21 – Mediaage NG News – The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has denied talks alleging that the Minister, Simon Lalong is planning to undermine the agreement reached on the 2nd of October, 2023, between the government and labour unions in the country.
The Ministry also said with knowledge of the dispute between various groups within the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), the Minister consistently intervened in finding resolutions to every impasse.
“The attention of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has been drawn to a press release issued by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on 18th October 2023, wherein it alleged that the Honourable Minister, Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong is moving to undermine the critical Labour-Federal Government Agreement of October 2, 2023, a statement issued by the Ministry on Fridaysaid.
“We wish to unequivocally refute the allegation and put it on record that it(allegation) is unfounded. Several meetings have been held to resolve the issue with representatives of the disputing groups, and the efforts are still ongoing.
“Therefore, it is not correct to suggest that the Minister is supporting any of the groups in the course of the negotiations”, the statement signed by Olajide Oshundun, the Director, Press and Public Relations in the Ministry said.
The circular also informed members of the NURTW, the NLC, and the entire labour movement to be assured that the Minister, as Chief Conciliator, will continue to work with all parties to ensure that there is reconciliation, harmony and industrial peace.