By Timothy Choji, Abuja
The Nigerian government says it means well for its workers and organised labour thus, there is no need for embarking on a strike action.
Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong made this declaration in an interview with State House Correspondents after he and the Minister of State-Labour, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, briefed Vice President Kashim Shettima on plans to avert the proposed strike by organized labour.
Correspondent, Timothy Choji reports that Lalong who fell short of saying the strike scheduled to commence on Thursday, September 21, will not hold, stressed that progress has been made in consultations with labour leaders.
“We have come to discuss with the issues we discussed. and also follow up. The President is not around and many of the issues we will continue to discuss with the Vice President so that there will be a smooth, harmonious relationship with the labour .
“As for me, I don’t think there is any problem. We are moving very fine with the Nigerian labour and the posture of the President too is towards welfare for workers in Nigeria. We have no doubt and that’s why many of the meetings we had with them, we did not end up boxing ourselves, we were all smiling. We hope that the best is going to come. It is a friendly engagement we are doing with them,” he said.
When pressed further on whether the strike will not be held tomorrow, the Labour Minister said: “Well, I don’t want to say that; I’m not the NLC’s President.”
