The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has refuted claims of reaching an agreement with the Federal Government to suspend the forthcoming indefinite strike.
The NLC, along with the Trade Union Congress (TUC), is scheduled to commence the indefinite strike on October 3, 2023.
The Director of Press at the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Olajide Oshundun, was reported in some media outlets to have stated that an agreement had been reached between the organized labor and the government to halt the proposed strike.
However, in a swift response, the NLC, through its Head of Information and Public Affairs, Benson Upah, clarified that no such arrangement had been made.
In a statement released on Thursday, Upah emphasized that the government had neither invited the union nor provided a meeting date to discuss the planned strike.
The NLC stated, “The press statement issued by the Director of Press, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mr. Olajide Oshundun, regarding our proposed strike action and the illegal occupation of the secretariat of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, has been brought to our attention.
“We have noticed some inconsistencies. Therefore, we feel it is necessary to provide clarifications. Firstly, we have not reached any agreement with the government to suspend the planned strike action, nor have we been given a date for a meeting that might lead to the suspension of the proposed strike.”
“While we do not intend to belittle or undermine the office of the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, it is important to note that this matter extends beyond the Ministry. This should have been evident during our most recent meeting,” the NLC added.
“Secondly, although we appreciate the efforts of the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Barrister Simon Lalong, in securing the release of the executives of the National Union of Road Transport Workers from unlawful police detention, we take exception to the Ministry referring to these executives as factional leaders. They were duly elected into their positions.”
“We still believe it is necessary to advise the police and those responsible for their mistreatment to cease this disgraceful and shameful behavior. They are urged to reevaluate their actions,” the NLC concluded.
