The Federal Government declared on Wednesday that it has no concerns about a potential economic shutdown just hours before the end of the 21-day deadline set by organized labor.
This is despite the fact that last Monday’s negotiations came to a standstill because neither party could agree on the demands of the labor unions regarding the elimination of the gasoline subsidy.
“I don’t believe there is a problem. After a private meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja on Wednesday night, Minister of Labour Simon Lalong told State House Correspondents, “We don’t have any fears about some of the things they (labour) put on the table, as well as the suggestions and the package of the Federal Government.
Lalong first encountered organized labor in Abuja a few days earlier. However, the Nigerian Labour Congress insisted that the FG must comply with its demands before the 21-day deadline it issued on September 1 and both parties were unable to come to an agreement.
In response to the delay in the distribution of palliatives, the union issued a 21-day ultimatum, warning that if its demands were not met, it might be forced to call an ongoing strike.
When the ultimatum expires on Friday, it was stated that everything is prepared for a complete shutdown of the economy.
In response to inquiries regarding the deadline for an ongoing, indefinite strike by organized labor, the labor minister said, “As for me, I don’t think there is any problem, following his meeting with Shettima. We have fully invested time in the Nigerian labor force, and the President also has a position that is supportive of the welfare and prosperity of workers.
We are certain, which is why we avoided boxing ourselves in during many of our meetings with them. We believe the best is yet to come. “.
He said, “Don’t worry about those strike threats. For this reason, I stated that our interaction with them is amicable. “
The former governor of Plateau State avoided answering directly when asked if the strike would begin on Thursday by stating, “I don’t want to say that; I’m not the NLC’s President.”
Our correspondents were unable to get Joe Ajaero, the National President of the NLC, to respond.
When The PUNCH enquired about the situation, another Labour center official, Hakeem Ambali, did not respond either.
The NLC and the Trade Union Congress are requesting a review of the minimum wage in addition to wage awards, palliative care implementation, tax exemptions and allowances for public sector employees, and palliative care.
The eight-week period set aside for the process’ completion expired in August with no action taken, despite the FG’s pledge to restructure the framework for engagement with organized Labor on palliatives.
