As the 21-day ultimatum issued by the organized labor draws to a close, the federal government has expressed its lack of concern regarding a potential economic shutdown.
Despite the impasse during Monday’s meeting, both parties failed to reach a consensus on the labor unions’ demands regarding the removal of petrol subsidy.
“I am confident that there won’t be any issues,”The Minister of Labour, Simon Lalong, reassured the public that the federal government remains unfazed by the labor union’s demands and the proposed solutions.
This statement was made after a private meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja on Wednesday evening.
Days earlier, Lalong met the organised labour in Abuja. However, both parties failed to reach a consensus as the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) insisted that the President Bola Tinubu’s government must meet its demands ahead of the 21-day ultimatum it issued on September 1.
The union had handed down the 21-day ultimatum over the delay in sharing palliatives, saying it might be compelled to declare an indefinite labour action if its demands were not met.
It said all is set for a total shutdown of the economy, which would start at the expiration of the ultimatum on Friday.
Arising from his meeting with Shettima, the labour minister responded to questions about the deadline for an indefinite strike by the organised labour, saying, “As for me, I don’t think there is any problem. We have fully spent time with the Nigerian labour and the posture of the President too is towards the welfare and prosperity for workers.
“We have no doubt and that’s why, in many of our meetings with them, we did not end up boxing ourselves. We hope that the best is going to come.”
On the strike threats, he said, “Don’t worry about that. That’s why I said it’s a friendly engagement we are having with them.”
Pressed for definite remarks on whether or not the strike kicks off on Thursday, the former Plateau State Governor sidestepped, saying “I don’t want to say that; I’m not the NLC’s President”.
