The President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government has moved to avert possible nationwide strike planned by organised private labour and the human rights community in reaction to the latest hike in fuel price and electricity tariff.
He directed the Ministry of Labour and Employment to dialogue with the labour unions immediately.The meeting is scheduled for today in Abuja.
Checkout Magazine gathered that the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) are alleged to have already gone far in mobilising workers for the strike aimed at forcing government to reverse last week’s increase of petrol price to N159 per litre and of electricity to over N60 per unit.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, told State House correspondents yesterday that the dialogue would afford government the opportunity to lay the state of the nation’s finances bare and the challenges both face on the table for better understanding.
“The President has approved for us to have a bigger government side meeting with the organised private labour. All the government institutions that have to do with the finances of government will be part of the meeting so that we meet with them and show them the books,” the minister said as he emerged from a meeting with Buhari yesterday.
He added: “So, the invitation is going out to them this afternoon; the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and their affiliates or supporters and friends in the Civil Society Organisations.
“The meeting is scheduled for tomorrow (today). So, I will relate more with the Chief of Staff to the President and the leadership of the unions today so that we do this meeting tomorrow.
