We’ll settle pending disputes with organized labour, says Lalong

Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong has vowed to resolve all pending labour disputes with the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria.

According to Channels, he stated this on his assumption to office while addressing journalists.

Lalong also promised to tackle head-on the new minimum wage and other mitigation measures brought on by the elimination of fuel subsidies.

“The government through the NLC and TUC and their affiliates not only ensure that all impending industrial disputes are settled amicably but we will address with strong determination the new minimum wage and other palliatives arising from the removal of subsidy ” he said.

He added that the Ministry would use advances in technology, education, entrepreneurship, and farming to provide greater chances for work to all Nigerians.

“In the coming weeks, we shall unveil detailed plans of President Tinubu’s vision for Labour and Employment and also spell out the role that the Ministry and its agencies, development partners and Nigerians, in general, will play in actualizing it.

“We shall be engaging all relevant partners and receiving briefings towards a robust performance.” the minister also revealed.

During his address, Lalong mentioned that President Bola Tinubu had tasked them with achieving SDGs 8 to ensure that Nigerians get decent employment and are adequately remunerated for their labour in both the public and private sectors. This was in response to the high rates of unemployment, underemployment, and other problems in the workplace.

“We shall not spare any effort to protect the Nigerian worker and guarantee his dignity at all times.”

“This administration will therefore escalate the relations with the private sector, development partners, international agencies, NGOs among others to make sure that unemployment and underemployment is reduced to the barest minimum according to the plan of the Tinubu Administration,” he added.

“We shall therefore mobilise and deploy all the resources of the Ministry towards ensuring that the matters relating to Labour and Employment are galvanised across relevant MDAs and sectors of the economy in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President. Our workers must get value for their labour and operate in a safe and conducive environment.”