During an interview with House of Representatives correspondents, the Minister of Labor and Employment, Simon Lalong, expressed optimism that the ongoing discussions between the Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC) and the federal government will yield positive outcomes. Following a meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday, Lalong reiterated the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to the welfare and well-being of the country’s workers.
Lalong also stated that they are in dialogue with the NLC on several issues and will continue to work with the Vice President to ensure a smooth and harmonious relationship with workers. In response to the planned indefinite strike, Lalong said that the federal government is communicating effectively with the NLC and that President Tinubu’s stance is aimed at improving the welfare of workers in Nigeria.
We are confident that a peaceful resolution will be reached. During our meetings with the unions, we maintained a friendly demeanor and remained optimistic about a positive outcome.
We have established amicable relationships with the unions and are not afraid of the proposals they have put forward. In addition, the federal government is currently reviewing their proposals and packages.
It is important to note that the federal government and the NLC agreed to continue discussions on providing assistance to workers affected by the removal of subsidies. They also committed to addressing key demands presented by the unions before the 21-day ultimatum expires.
Minister of Labor and Employment, Simon Lalong, recently met with the TUC and NLC to discuss these matters. He confirmed these agreements during a press conference held after a closed-door meeting with the NLC on Monday in Abuja.
The aim of the meeting was to prevent the unions from going on strike and causing further problems. The NLC had threatened to go on strike from September 21 due to the hardships faced by the public as a result of the removal of fuel subsidies.