3rd June, 2024
By Taiwo Okanlawon
The Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, has warned that any attempt to intimidate, provoke or blackmail its leaders at the negotiation table would worsen issues.
According to the union, soldiers have surrounded the venue of its meeting with the federal government over minimum wage negotiation.
“Soldiers are presently surrounding the venue of the meeting between Labour and Government at the premises of the SGF,” NLC wrote on X.
In a post on its official X handle on Monday, NLC had earlier warned against any attempt to intimidate, provoke or blackmail its leaders at the negotiation table, which would worsen issues.
The union maintained that such development could further prolong its strike action indefinitely.
“Any attempt to intimidate, provoke or blackmail our leaders at the negotiation table would worsen the issue and further prolong our action indefinitely. Our leaders are acting in accordance with the directives of our organs. Viva! Organized labour. Viva! Working people of Nigeria!” another post reads on X.
The statement came after Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume summoned organised labour to an emergency meeting following the ongoing indefinite nationwide strike.
Festus Osifo, president of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, confirmed the meeting.
According to him, labour leaders comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and TUC were heading to the SGF office for the meeting.
Also, the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero, said that Nigerian workers will not be intimidated by the management of any organisation or government entity over its decision to go on strike.
Ajaero’s reaction followed an allegation by labour accusing the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, of intimidation over the national grid shutdown.
He warned that such an approach would rather inflame the anger of the suffering masses, who are already burdened by the cruel policies of the federal government.