News

NLC steps in to avert the impending nationwide strike

Published

1 year ago

March 28, 2023

Stella Charles Akupue

NLC steps in to avert the impending nationwide strike

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, has taken steps to prevent the imminent nationwide strike scheduled by the Nigeria Labour Congress NLC), billed to commence this Wednesday.

In a statement by the Director of Press in the Ministry, Mr. Olajide Ushundun, the conciliatory meeting was summoned by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, to arrest the dispute between NLC and the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN over the latter’s Naira Redesign Policy, which caused a cash crunch in the country.

The Nigeria Labour Congress had threatened to embark on nationwide industrial action if the cash crunch, fuel scarcity and electricity tariff increase were not addressed.

Following this, Dr Ngige invited the leadership of the Congress and the CBN management to a meeting to resolve their differences.

The ten-man delegation of the NLC was led by the President, Comrade Joe Ajaero and the General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, while the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, was accompanied by two Deputy Governors, Kingsley Obiora, Economic Policy and Ade Shonubi, Organised Private Sector.

Making his opening remarks, Dr Ngige refuted the allegation of the NLC that his Ministry did nothing about the matter.

He said on receiving the letter from NLC, he forwarded the same to the CBN Governor before travelling out of the country for an International Labour Organisation (ILO) Governing Board meeting and directed the Permanent Secretary and Trade Union Services and Industrial Relations Department to follow up.

He explained that his Ministry took the necessary step by sending the letter to the o CBN Governor, who received the letter and assured that action would be taken.

On his part, the CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefilie, said when he received the letter from the Labour Ministry, he called the President of NLC to brief him on steps taken to alleviate the sufferings of the masses and equally made an appointment and had a fruitful discussion with NLC president.

NLC steps in to avert the impending nationwide strike

He said the large volume of funds was made available to the deposit money banks, and they were directed to open their branches on Saturdays and Sundays and complied with the CBN’s strict supervision.

According to Emefiele, Nigerians have been enjoying their money following the Steen.

NLC President Comrade Ajaero said they only got a reply to their second letter to the Ministry and subsequently received an invitation to the meeting.

He said they no longer envisage any problem since CBN has started sending cash to the banks and Nigerians were now accessing their money; he acknowledged that meetings have taken place in the spirit of good dialogue.

He, however, urged the CBN to improve their services, regretting the information gap created in implementing the Naira Redesign.

He said: “NLC could not have stopped CBN from making good decisions and implementing them in the nation’s interest; if stakeholders were invited and briefed on the policy when the people complain, NLC would explain everything to them.

Comrade Ajaero said the CBN took the decision alone, pointing out that it is the wrong time for administering such a national policy.

He assured me the National Executive Committee, NEC of NLC, will meet today. Members from states and Local Government Areas are expected to report on the availability of money, after which a decision will be taken on the strike.

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