Labour abandons plans to resume nationwide strike Tuesday
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has debunked some reports that the unions will resume the recently relaxed indefinite nationwide strike on Tuesday.
The organised labour said the comment attributed to the Assistant General Secretary of the NLC, Chris Onyeka, is a clear case of misinterpretation of the interaction he had with Channel’s TV presenters earlier on Monday morning.
Speaking via phone chat, Chris Onyeka, said, “Video clip of my chat with Channel’s TV presenters is there to prove I never said labour may resume strike on Tuesday. They asked me if labour will resume the relaxed nationwide indefinite strike.
“I told them that since labour and government agree to wrap up the minimum wage negotiations within one week, that one week will elapse on Tuesday and the organs of the two labour centres will have to deliberate on the outcome of the negotiation and have a position. That was my response to their question. I am surprised that news is flying here and there quoting that I said that the strike will resume on Tuesday.”
Meanwhile, a NEC member of NLC who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that the labour unions may not likely meet anytime soon because almost all the labour leaders have traveled to Geneva for the International Labour Conference of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
He said, “Beside we in labour don’t take action irrationally. We usually evaluate situation of things, agreements we have had and thoroughly discussed among all the organs before embarking on any action. Yes we relaxed the strike to finish the negotiation and now that is done, we wait for the next line of action from the government before acting.
“Even though governors have said they cannot pay above N60,000, we believe that discussions among them are ongoing and that President Bola Tinubu will engage them and make them see reasons why Nigerian workers should be paid a living wage instead of slave wage.
“Certainly, the organs of the organisd labour will meet to take further decision on the issue at hand but we are not resuming strike on Tuesday,” he added.
