NLC vs FG: Fresh details emerge over indefinite nationwide strike

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says it is open to meeting with the Federal Government amid talks surrounding an indefinite nationwide industrial action.

Confirming this development, a source revealed that the NLC would be meeting with the federal government soon following an invitation sent to them.

As reported by The Nigerian Tribune, the invitation was also confirmed via a statement issued by the director of press and publications at the labour minister; the statement reads:

“The Minister of Labour and Employment Simon Bako Lalong has again invited the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) for another meeting over its planned indefinite strike.

“The Minister who directed the Department of Trade Unions Services and Industrial Relations to convene a meeting with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for Monday 18th September 2023 said it was important that the Unions sit with Government to resolve all pending matters to avert further disruption to the economy."

This invitation will be a spin-off of the last meeting in the first week of September, which only the NLC attended, and the TUC was absent.

NLC to honour FG invitation

Meanwhile, the source from the NLC confirmed that they would be attending the next meeting, which is aimed at opening negotiations to help quell the disparities between the two entities.

The source said:

“I can confirm to you that we have received the Ministry’s letter and will attend the meeting. NLC is committed to finding a solution to the issues. We hope that the government is sincere enough to be truthful in discussions and finding solutions.

“NLC has always been disposed for negotiations and solutions to the issues however experiences have taught us that government is not sincere to broker last solutions to the issues. So immediately we smell insincerity to what government is saying, we stay aware to their meeting.”