‘FG lied’ – NLC says no agreement to suspend proposed strike

The Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, has denied entering into any pact with the Federal Government to suspend its planned indefinite strike.

The indefinite strike declared by the NLC and the TUC is slated to commence on October 3, 2023.

The Director of Press, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Olajide Oshundun, was quoted in some sections of the media as saying that there was an agreement between the organised labour and the government to suspend the proposed strike.

But in a swift reaction, the NLC, through its Head of Information and Public Affairs, Benson Upah, said there was no such arrangement.

In a statement on Thursday, Upah said that the government has not invited the union or given any date for a meeting over the proposed strike.

The NLC said, “The press statement issued by the Director of Press, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mr Olajide Oshundun on our proposed strike action and illegal occupation of the secretariat of the National Union of Road Transport Workers has been brought to our attention.

“We note some inconsistencies. Accordingly, we find it necessary to make clarifications. Firstly, we do not have any agreement with the government to suspend the planned strike action. Neither do we have any date for a meeting with the government that may lead to the suspension of the proposed strike.

“While we do not intend to demean or minimise the office of the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, this matter is beyond the Ministry. This should have been obvious to them during our most recent meeting.

“Secondly, while we appreciate the role played by 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/illegal police detention, we take exception to the Ministry describing these executives as factional leaders. “They were lawfully elected into office.

“We still find it necessary to advise the police and those elements behind their travails to desist from this despicable and shameful conduct. They are advised to retrace their steps.

“If democracy is to be of meaning to us, then we should resist the urge or temptation for impunity. Enough is enough.”