NLC adamant, shuns meeting with labour minister over planned strike

The national leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress has refused to attend a last-minute reconciliation meeting held by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, in order to avoid the two-day warning strike previously declared by the labor centre.

According to the TalkTalk Nigeria , only the Trade Union Congress leadership, led by President Festus Osifo, attended the meeting, which was scheduled for 3 p.m. but began at 5:32 p.m.

According to the PUNCH, the NLC announced a two-day warning strike on Friday in a communique signed by its national president, Joe Ajaero, and Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, in response to the Tinubu-led Federal Government's failure to dialogue and engage stakeholders within organized labor on efforts to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal on Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol, on the "poor masses."

Already in August, organized labor conducted a one-day protest that halted activity in key cities around the country.

The NLC accused the police of laying siege to the national headquarters of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, alleged exploitation of workers' rights in Imo state, interference in trade union matters by the Abia State government, and proposed demolition by the new minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, among other reasons for mobilizing its members for the nationwide shutdown.