FG appeals to NLC to call off warning strike

The Federal Government has appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to call off its planned two-day warning strike.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, made the appeal in Abuja on Monday.

Lalong said the strike would be detrimental and would reverse the gains that the government has made so far.

He also asked the NLC to give the government some time to settle in and address the issues raised by the union.

“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,” Lalong said.

“Furthermore, I would request that the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress give this government some time to settle and address the issues on the ground holistically.”

The newly appointed minister noted that he has been briefed about the issues raised by the NLC leadership and that the federal government intends to address them holistically in the next few weeks.

Lalong, however, assured the Nigerian workforce that the government would not take them for granted and would continue to pursue policies aimed at massive employment generation, noting that the government could not do this in an atmosphere of industrial unrest.

“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 the immediate challenges that have emerged from the policies of the government. We cannot do this in an atmosphere devoid of industrial peace.”

The minister also said that the ministry had not received notification of the planned strike from the NLC as required by law but a meeting would be held with labour leaders on Monday afternoon to avert the strike.