The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero has given details of his the union’s meeting with representatives of the federal government.
He said that the two-day warning strike embarked upon by the union was necessitated by the frustration of the working class over the government’s failure to fulfil its promises.
Ajaero stated this on Monday at a meeting called by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong.
The NLC President expressed displeasure over how the government handled the palliative scheme after the subsidy removal policy.
He said that none of the demands raised by workers, which the government pledged to meet, have been fulfilled despite the two-day warning strike.
He added that workers were not keen on embarking on strikes but that recent developments in the labour sector, particularly the crisis in the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), where the police have taken over the secretariat, left much to be desired.
Before the meeting broke into a closed-door session, Lalong had, in his opening remarks, said that the country was witnessing teething challenges, marked by industrial actions and unrest that have adversely affected the economy.
He said he was optimistic that a constructive dialogue would lead to the resolution of the issues on the ground.
“I fully acknowledge and appreciate the invaluable role the NLC plays in championing the rights and welfare of our workers. Your dedication and tireless advocacy have been critical in shaping a fair and inclusive work environment and ensuring the well-being of our workforce. We acknowledge the valid grievances that have fueled the recent labour crisis, and we are committed to addressing them in a just and equitable manner.
“We must also recognize the economic realities that confront us. As we address the concerns of our workforce, we must be mindful of striking a balance that promotes economic growth and secures sustainable progress for our nation. Today, I call upon each one of you to join hands in an open-minded and constructive dialogue, enabling us to bridge any gaps that may exist between the interests of workers and the ultimate goal of driving economic advancement.
“In the spirit of unity and with utmost commitment to the betterment of our nation, let us seize this opportunity to listen and understand one another. Together, let us explore innovative approaches, reimagining strategies that enhance working conditions and worker benefits while nurturing a robust economy,” Lalong stated.
Taking to his X handle, Simon Bako Lalong added that:
I, along with my colleague, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyeajeocha, today engaged in a crucial meeting with members of the Nigeria Labour Congress, led by their President, Joe Ajaero. Our objective was clear: to address the pressing issues raised by Labour and their looming threat of a complete strike.
As I welcomed the NLC team, I emphasized that the government had duly noted the legitimate concerns voiced by Labour, which were currently under careful consideration. Our meeting aimed to scrutinize these demands closely, categorizing them into those that could be promptly resolved, those necessitating more time, and those requiring further deliberation.
I acknowledged the economic challenges we faced, stressing the need to strike a balance between addressing the workforce’s concerns and fostering economic growth, thereby securing sustainable progress for our nation. I urged everyone to engage in open-minded and constructive dialogue to bridge any gaps between worker interests and our shared goal of advancing our economy.
With confidence, I anticipated that this meeting would yield resolutions that would drive progress in the labor sector and foster a harmonious partnership between the government and the NLC, creating an environment conducive to the prosperity of our workforce.
NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero conveyed the frustration of Labor, citing previous unaddressed demands and the ongoing hardships faced by workers due to the removal of subsidies without corresponding palliatives or wage reviews. He also raised concerns about impostors attempting to take over the NURTW union illegally, leading to the closure of its headquarters and the arrest of its members, whom he demanded be released immediately.
Following these statements, our meeting delved into a closed-door session to work towards resolving these issues and promoting a more collaborative and productive relationship between the government and Labor.