The Federal Government has pleaded to the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress to shelve its planned two-day warning strike slated to commence on Tuesday.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, made the appeal on Monday in Abuja.
He cited the reverse of the gains already made by FG, among others as the basis for the appeal while pledging to address the contending issues raised by the NLC holistically if given some time to settle into the office.
Lalong said, “It has become pertinent to appeal to the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to suspend its intended two-day 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.
“Furthermore, I would request that the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress gives this government some time to settle and address the issues on the ground holistically.
“It should be realised that the cabinet of this administration was only recently sworn in by Mr. President and all cabinet members have hit the ground running by receiving briefings from their MDAs.
“Therefore, the issues raised by the leadership of the NLC are some issues that I and the Hon. Minister of State for Labour and Employment are being briefed upon. In the next few weeks, we intend to address them holistically.
“Consequently, 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 from the policies of the government. We cannot do this in an atmosphere devoid of industrial peace,” he added.
The minister said that although the ministry had not yet received from the NLC the notification of the planned strike needed by law, the ministry will be meeting with the labor leaders on Monday with the goal of putting an end to the strike.
