… says ‘organ’ll decide on next line of action’
Samuel Adesola, Abuja
Nigeria Labour Congress, on Monday, dismissed reports of likely resumption of the suspended nationwide strike by the organised Labour on Tuesday
NLC said the comment attributed to its Assistant General Secretary, Chris Onyeka, was sheer misinterpretation of the interview he had with Channel’s TV earlier on Monday.
According to Onyeka, “Video clip of my chat with Channel’s TV presenters is there to prove I never said labour may resume strike on Tuesday. They asked me if labour will resume the relaxed nationwide indefinite strike.
“I told them that since labour and government agree to wrap up the minimum wage negotiations within one week, that one week will elapse on Tuesday and the organs of the two labour centres will have to deliberate on the outcome of the negotiation and have a position. That was my response to their question. I am surprised that news is flying here and there quoting that I said that the strike will resume on Tuesday.”
However, Labour has assured that both the NLC and the TUC may not likely meet anytime soon because almost all the labour leaders are currently in Geneva for the International Labour Conference of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
“Beside we in labour don’t take action irrationally. We usually evaluate situation of things, agreements we have had and thoroughly discussed among all the organs before embarking on any action. Yes we relaxed the strike to finish the negotiation and now that is done, we wait for the next line of action the government before acting.
“Even though governors have said they cannot pay above N60,000, we believe that discussions among them are ongoing and that President Tinubu will engage them and make them see reasons why Nigerian workers should be paid a living wage instead of slave wage. Certainly, the organs of the organisd labour will meet to take further decision on the issue at hand but we are not resuming strike on Tuesday,” an NLC member reportedly said on Monday.
