Abuja - September 05 - Mediaage NG News – The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Tuesday began a two-day warning strike, having turned down a meeting with representatives of the Nigerian government.
They said the warning strike is in reaction to the increasing hardship many Nigerians are facing in the country, caused by the fuel subsidy removal.
The NLC had last Friday, issued a notice of a two-day warning strike to protest the mass suffering.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, yesterday in Abuja, pleaded for the strike to be shunned. “It will worsen the plights of ordinary Nigerians, he said.
Mr. Lalong said the NLC leadership should allow stakeholders to work towards amicable resolution of the contending issues on ground. He said the President had on numerous times said he is not unaware that the implementations of the vital but difficult policies come along with a measure of hardship for all of us citizens of this country.
“I would like to reiterate my appeal to the leadership of the NLC to suspend their planned 2-day warning strike, and subsequent future actions, and to allow us to work together to amicably resolve these issues rather than embark on actions that would further worsen the conditions of the citizens of Nigeria, Lalong said.
“While some of these policies are being planned and fine-tuned, others are being rolled out as palliative measures to bring temporary relief to Nigerians. In the long run, the government of President Tinubu will put in place measures that will empower the people as well as create jobs and prosperity.
“As we continue in this direction, therefore, we must ensure that there is a robust line of communication with Nigerians and in particular the organised labour to forestall a breakdown of industrial peace which would no doubt reverse some of the gains already made.
“It has become pertinent to appeal to the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), to suspend its intended 2-days warning strike, as such action would be detrimental to the gains already being recorded on our course to securing a greater future for Nigerian workers and citizens at large.
“I use this opportunity to reassure Nigerian workers that this government would never take them for granted nor fail to appreciate their support and understanding. We shall continue to pursue policies aimed at massive employment generation in all sectors of the economy as well as look into immediate challenges that have emerged out of the policies of government”, the Minister said.