The Nigeria Labour Congress disclosed that it has no agreement with the Federal Government to suspend the proposed indefinite strike scheduled for October 3, 2023.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, this was made known in a statement by the Head of Information and Public Affairs in NLC, Mr Benson Push on Thursday in Abuja.
The NLC and the Trade Union Congress had, at the end of the joint National Executive Council meeting, announced that an indefinite strike would begin from Tuesday to press home their demands.
Upah disclosed this in response to a statement allegedly issued by Mr Olajide Oshundun, Director of Press and Public Relations in the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
Upah noted that there were some inconsistencies in the statement, including the proposed strike and the illegal occupation of the National Union of Road Transport Workers secretariat.
The statement read, “Accordingly, we find it necessary to make clarifications. Firstly, we do not have any agreement with the government to suspend the planned strike action.
“Neither do we have any date for a meeting with the government that may lead to suspending the proposed strike.
“While we do not intend to demean or minimise the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment office, this matter is beyond the Ministry.
“This should have been obvious to them during our most recent meeting,” he added.
He, then lauded the role played by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Mr Simon Lalong, in securing the release of the executives of the NURTW from unlawful, illegal police detention.
Upah added, ”We take exception to the ministry describing these executives as factional leaders.
“They were lawfully elected into office. We must still advise the police and those elements behind their travails to resist this despicable and shameful conduct.
“They are advised to retrace their steps. If democracy is to be of meaning to us, then we should resist the urge or temptation for impunity. Enough is enough.”
