As the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) kick off a nationwide strike on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, Simon Lalong, the Minister of Labour, Employment and Productivity, has urgently convened a meeting with leaders of the organized labour. The meeting between the federal government and the labor unions is set to take place today.
The development comes in the wake of the labor unions’ directive on Monday, instructing their members to withdraw services nationwide, a move aimed at pressing the government to address various concerns, including workers’ rights and privileges.
Festus Osifo, the National President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), emphasized that the strike would persist until “government at all levels wake up to their responsibility.” The unions also intend to use the strike as a platform to protest the recent attack on Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
The assault on Ajaero occurred in Imo State during a rally organized by the NLC to mobilize Imo workers for a mega protest against the alleged violation and abuse of workers’ rights and privileges by the state government. Despite reports of Ajaero’s arrest, the police asserted that he was taken into protective custody to prevent harm from the escalating violence during the rally.
The meeting initiated by the Minister of Labour is anticipated to address the grievances leading to the strike, with expectations for constructive dialogue between the federal government and the labor unions.
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