Simon Lalong, Minister of Labour and Employment, expressed hope that labor leaders will reconsider before the start of a statewide, indefinite strike called by organized Labour.
Lalong, who met Vice President Kashim Shettima yesterday alongside Minister of State Nkiruka Onyejeocha, expressed hope based on the cordial and pleasant attitude of the government’s meetings with organized labor thus far.
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has pledged to lead a nationwide, indefinite strike beginning Thursday in protest of the difficult economic conditions that have followed the federal government’s elimination of fuel subsidies.
Lalong, who avoided unequivocal responses to questions about the present situation of the negotiations and the impending strike, did not, however, affirm whether the labor action will continue as the party has requested.
Speaking to Situation House Correspondents about the situation of negotiations with Labour following the meeting with Shettima, Lalong said there was no difficulty.
“We’re moving very fine with them, with the Nigerian labor and posture of the President too is towards good welfare for the Labour in Nigeria, so we have no doubt.
“That’s why in many of the meetings we’ve had with them we are not ending up boxing ourselves, we were smiling, all of us, with the hope that the best is going to come,” he said.
Asked about the strike, he said “Which strike? We’re still… No, don’t worry about it. That’s why I said it’s a friendly engagement we’re having with them. We didn’t have any fear about some of the things they put and also the suggestions and about.”
When asked if the Federal Government had received assurances from organized Labour that the scheduled strike would be called off, Lalong replied, “I don’t want to say that, I’m not the NLC’s president.”
When asked for comment, Onyejeocha stated, “We’re continuing to discuss with our brothers and sisters, and that’s what it is.”
In another chat, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, expressed optimism that organized labor would be rational in its actions since a strike at this time would be detrimental to everyone.
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