Strike: FG allays fear as NLC ultimatum ends today
By Jennifer S. Kuwanta
The Federal Government has declared that it has no concerns about a potential economic shutdown just hours before the end of the 21-day deadline set by organised labour.
This is despite the fact that last Monday’s negotiations came to a standstill because neither party could agree on the labour unions’ demands for the elimination of the petrol subsidy.
“I don’t think there is any problem. We don’t have any fears about some of the things they (labour) put on the table and also the suggestions and the package of the Federal Government,” the Minister of Labour, Simon Lalong, told State House Correspondents after a private meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima, at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, Wednesday evening.
Days earlier, Lalong met the organised labour in Abuja. However, both parties failed to reach a consensus as the Nigerian Labour Congress insisted that the FG must meet its demands ahead of the 21-day ultimatum it issued on September 1.
The union had handed down the 21-day ultimatum over the delay in sharing palliatives, saying it might be compelled to declare an indefinite labour action if its demands were not met.
It said all is set for a total shutdown of the economy, which would start at the expiration of the ultimatum on Friday.
Read Also: Labour threatens indefinite strike, gives one week ultimatum
Arising from his meeting with Shettima, the labour minister responded to questions about the deadline for an indefinite strike by the organised labour, saying, “As for me, I don’t think there is any problem. We have fully spent time with the Nigerian labour and the posture of the President too is towards the welfare and prosperity of workers.
“We have no doubt and that’s why, in many of our meetings with them, we did not end up boxing ourselves. We hope that the best is going to come.”
On the strike threats, he said, “Don’t worry about that. That’s why I said it’s a friendly engagement we are having with them.”
Pressed for definite remarks on whether or not the strike kicks off on Thursday, the former Plateau State Governor sidestepped, saying “I don’t want to say that; I’m not the NLC’s President.”
Efforts by our correspondents to get the National President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, to react were unsuccessful.
Another official of the Labour center, Hakeem Ambali, also did not reply to inquiries by The PUNCH on the matter.
Among other demands, the NLC and the Trade Union Congress are asking for wage awards, implementation of palliatives, tax exemptions and allowances to public sector workers, and a review of the minimum wage.
Though the FG committed to restructuring the framework for engagement with organized Labour on palliatives, the eight-week timeframe set for the conclusion of the process expired in August with no action.