FG, Labour meeting over nationwide strike failed to hold

A last minute meeting called by the Federal Government in a bid to stop the planned nationwide strike from October three failed to hold on Friday.

The federal government had yesterday summoned an emergency meeting meeting with the leaders of NLC and the TUC, in an effort to sway Organized Labour and its allies to shelve the industrial action.

The invitation letter dated September 29 was signed on behalf of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, by the Director, Trade Union Services and Industrial Relations, Emmanuel Igbinosun.

The letter titled “Impending labour union strike invitation to a meeting”, reads in part “I bring you greetings from the Honourable Ministers of Labour and Employment. I am directed to invite the leadership of the Trade Union Congress Nigeria (TUC) for a meeting with the Chief of Staff to Mr. President on the above subject, scheduled as follows: Date: Friday, September 294, 2023

Time: 12 noon. Venue: Aso Villa, Conference Room of the Office of the Chief of Staff to Mr. President.

“Please be assured of the kind regards of the Hon. Minister of Labour and Employment.”

However, leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, did not attend the meeting.

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According to the two labour unions, the government’s invitation came late as they had scheduled engagements outside Abuja.

In a response letter signed by NLC General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja and his TUC counterpart, Nuhu Toro, the unions asked for a reschedule meeting with the government.

The letter reads “We extend our warm regards to you and the entire team at your Ministry.

“We wish to express our sincere regrets for our inability to attend the proposed meeting between us and the Federal Government, scheduled for today the 29th Day of September due to already scheduled engagements our officials have outside Abuja.

Regrettably, the short notice provided for this meeting has posed significant logistical challenges for the majority of our leadership, rendering their participation unfeasible at this time. “In light of this, and in the interest of ensuring that any discussions held are representative of the NLC’s and TUC’s collective stance, we find it imperative to request the rescheduling of the meeting. “We trust that this request for a rescheduled meeting will be taken into consideration, and we look forward to your understanding in this matter.”