According to Mr. Benson Upah, the Head of Information and Public Affairs in the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), there is no agreement between the NLC and the Federal Government to cancel the planned indefinite strike scheduled for October 3rd.
Upah made this statement in response to a statement allegedly issued by Mr.Olajide Oshundun, the Director of Press and Public Relations in the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
Upah pointed out some inconsistencies in Oshundun’s statement, such as the mention of the proposed strike and the illegal occupation of the secretariat of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).
“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 the suspension of the proposed strike.
While we do not intend to demean or minimise the office of the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, this matter is beyond the Ministry.
“This should have been obvious to them during our most recent meeting,” he added.
He, therefore, commended 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 still find it necessary to advise the police and those elements behind their travails to desist from 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.”
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