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

The National Economic Council (NEC) has urged organised labour to quit its planned indefinite nationwide strike and continue dialoguing with the federal government.On Tuesday, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) asked their members to begin an indefinite nationwide strike starting on October 3 as a protest against the country’s economic challenges. After the NEC meeting, chaired by Kashim Shettima, the vice-president of Nigeria, on Thursday in Abuja, the governor of Plateau, Caleb Mutfwang, said some state governments have begun to address issues with the labour bodies.Mutfwang noted that starting a nationwide action would be a setback for the nation.

The Plateau governor said, “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.

”“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. ”The governor expressed optimism that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would address some of the labour concerns during his address on October 1.

He said, “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).

”“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.”