Labour Suspends Nationwide Strike, Edo, Other States Labour Reject Decision

The organised Labour has suspended the nationwide strike after meetings with the Federal Government and House of Representative leadership.

The decision is contained in a communique issued by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige following a technical meeting held throughout Sunday night.

The decision follows an agreement reached between both parties. The nationwide strike action would have crippled the economy and brought more harrowing economic difficulties among Nigerians.

Organised Labour however, points out that the strike was only suspended and not called off. It says that if the Federal Government does not honour the decisions reached, within two weeks, the strike action would resume.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has also put on hold, the electricity price hike to revert with a credible reason for the price review.

The new price of fuel would however, remain the same while government promises to improve the nation’s refining capacity.

In another development, labour leaders in Edo State and members of the civil society have rejected the decision of the national leadership.

Sunny Osanyade, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Edo State Chapter and his Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Marshal Ohue led members to occupy the King’s Square in Benin City, the Edo State capital in protest.

They maintain that the suspension of the strike by the national leadership was taken without consulting with the National Executive Council (NEC) and stakeholders across the country.

Marshal Ohue added that the national leadership weakens the country’s labour movement.

According to him, “we cannot continue to remain in the hands of the few who will mortgage our conscience because next time when we call on our labour leaders, they will not believe us or the struggle.

Ohue added that “we are supposed to be the voice of the common man on the street.

Other states have joined forces with Edo State and plan to continue the strike action irrespective of the decision of the national leadership.

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