Following the ultimatum issued by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to begin a 2-day warning strike tomorrow, September 5, 2023, Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, has appealed to the organised labour to shelve the planned strike.
The Minister who expressed his sympathy and that of President Bola Tinubu to Nigerians over the challenges that have arisen from the removal of Petrol Subsidy and other policies of the government, while speaking with journalists, said, the measures taken by the government are aimed at renewing hope for the future of the nation.
He said “Government is not unaware that the implementation of these vital but difficult policies, come along with a measure of hardship for all of us citizens of this country. However, the Government has to take these decisions now rather than delay them further and put the nation into more difficulties that might be impossible to reverse”.
Lalong said already, Government has taken steps to cushion the impact of the removal of fuel subsidy which are being implemented by the three tiers of Government.
According to him, while some of these policies are being planned and fine-tuned, others are being rolled out as palliative measures to bring temporary relief to Nigerians, saying on the long run, the Federal government will put in place measures that will empower the people as well as create jobs and prosperity.
While appealing to the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Lalong reassured Nigerian workers that the government would never take them for granted nor fail to appreciate their support and understanding.
“We shall continue to pursue policies aimed at massive employment generation in all sectors of the economy as well as look into immediate challenges that have emerged out of the policies of government. We cannot do this in an atmosphere devoid of industrial peace” he said.
He also disclosed that in the course of the coming weeks, additional measures will be announced having consulted with the leadership of the organised labour and key stakeholders, adding that the review of minimum wage which was promised by the President will also receive attention soon.