Less than 48 hours to the planned national strike by organised labour, the Federal Government has invited labour leaders for a further discussion holding at the State House in Abuja.
Last week, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) resolved to ground activities nationwide from 3rd October, following what they described as the “failure” of government to successfully implement policies to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians following the removal of the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
A similar meeting at the State House last Friday was canceled due to the absence of organised labour representatives.
A memorandum on behalf of the of Labour and Employment, Rt. Hon. Simon Lalong was addressed to NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero.
The meeting is expected to be attended by the national leadership of both the NLC and the TUC.
Expected to attend the meeting on behalf of the government are the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; Lalong, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon. Nkiruka Onyejeocha; and several other prominent government officials.
For the planned strike, several unions had asked their state chapters to mobilise for protests across the country after resolving their differences that made only NLC embark on a two-day warning strike without the participation of TUC.
Last Thursday, the National Executive Council (NEC), chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, urged the organised labour to shelve their planned strike.
Plateau State Governor, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang, who briefed reporters at the Presidential Villa after the NEC meeting, appealed to the leadership of the organised labour to be patient with the Federal Government and give more time for dialogue.
Mutfwang disclosed that the welfare of Nigerian workers would form part of the issues President Bola Tinubu would address in his maiden Independence Day broadcast to Nigerians on Sunday.
