NEC to labour: Don’t go on strike, let’s keep dialoguing

The national economic council (NEC) has asked organised labour to shelve its planned indefinite strike and keep dialoguing with the federal government.

On Tuesday, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) directed their members to embark on a nationwide indefinite strike from October 3 as a protest against the state of the nation.

Speaking after the NEC meeting chaired by Vice-President Kashim Shettima in Abuja on Thursday, Caleb Mutfwang, governor of Plateau, said some state governments have taken steps to address issues with the labour bodies.

The Plateau governor noted that embarking on a nationwide action would be a setback.

“The national economic council (NEC) deliberated on the planned indefinite strike by the national leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to proceed on an indefinite strike on October 3, 2023,” NAN quoted Mutfwang as saying.

“The council noted further the implications of the planned strike on the economy and the nation and thus urged members to continue to engage with the leadership of their respective states.

“It appeals to them to suspend the action and to continue on the path of dialogue with the federal government. This is the appeal of the council.”

Mutfwang expressed optimism that some of the concerns of labour would be addressed during the address of President Bola Tinubu on October 1.

“It is therefore important to note that it’s a federation issue, so whatever happens the labour is represented in all the 36 states and the federal capital territory (FCT),” he said.

“NEC is appealing that discussion should continue at the state levels because there will be peculiarities as to the issues to be addressed concerning the demands of labour and therefore dialogue is the way to go.”