Strike: Details of FG’s meeting with Organised Labour revealed

• The minister’s words indicate that the strike called upon by the two labour unions last Tuesday may come to an end soon
• TUC says there was robust conversation

The federal government says its meeting with the national leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress, (TUC) over the ongoing strike, was fruitful.

Speaking to reporters shortly after the meeting which took place at the office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong Bako, who described the meeting as fruitful, said the labour leaders agreed to report back to their constituencies and revert.

The minister’s words indicate that the strike called upon by the two labour unions last Tuesday may come to an end soon.

Both Lalong and the Minister of State for Labour, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyeajeocha, met with the striking unions in the NSA’s office.

The meeting came on the heels of the nationwide strike declared by the organized labour over the brutalization of NLC President, Joe Ajaero in Owerri, Imo State on November 1.

The organised labour is demanding the arrest and prosecution of the suspected political thugs who attacked the NLC President and other workers while protesting unpaid salaries.

The strike action which commenced on Tuesday has crippled economic activities in some parts of the nation.

He explained that after robust discussions, the labour leaders have agreed to report back to their constituencies and revert.

He said, “The meeting was in respect to what happened especially in Imo State and this meeting has heavy security considerations that is why we took the meeting at the office of the National Security Adviser.

“All the labour leaders were also here with us. We had a very fruitful discussion. They have also agreed to take it back home to their constituencies so that they can suspend the strike.”

Also speaking, TUC President Comrade Festus Osifo said the Federal Government made several appeals and promises which may lead to the suspension of the strike.

He said, “We had a robust conversation where a lot of assurances were given in furtherance to the release that was made by the NSA this morning that some people have been apprehending.

“They made several appeals and promises to us so we said let’s go back and reappraise all the conversations we have had and we will communicate accordingly.”