THE Federal Government, on Wednesday, emphasised its readiness to continue negotiations with organised Labour over opposition to the increase in petroleum pump price, but has warned the unions not to violate laws which specify six months jail term or a fine of N100,000 for offenders.
It was, however, keen to stress that it had no intention of pressing for such punishment during the ongoing dispute with the workers.
Addressing State House corespondents after the meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr Chris Ngige, who reminded of the provision of the law, also said that government would not encourage breaking into factions of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
He said government would rather work for the reunification of the factions, hence it decided to meet with all shades of opinions in the organised Labour.
The minister advised them to be conscious of the existing laws, in order not to run foul of them.
The Federal Government is presently locked in negotiations with the two factions of the NLC, led by Ayuba Wabba and Joe Ajaero, respectively.
With Ngige at the briefing were the Ministers of Information and Culture, and Power, Works and Housing, Lai Mohammed and Babatunde Fashola, respectively.
Senate mediates in FG, NLC negotiation
The Senate, on Wednesday, emerged from a 35-minute closed-door session and directed its Committee on Labour to immediately interface with the Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over the ongoing strike embarked upon by the workers.
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the sitting and read the resolutions reached at the closed session, said the Senate asked the committee to dialogue with the feuding parties and ensure the strike was brought to an end.
He said the Labour Committee, headed by Senator Suleiman Nazif to commence work earnestly and consult widely.
Ekweremadu said: “The Senate, in a closed-door session deliberated on the nationwide strike by labour and the ways of resolving the issues to avoid untold hardships to Nigerians.
“We also mandated the Committee on Labour, under the chairmanship of Mohammed Nasif, to continue to interface with both government and labour for an early resolution of all the matters. Is this a true reflection of what transpired in closed session? The lawmakers chorused aye.”
The Campaign for Democracy, in a statement signed by its president, Ifeanyi Odili, in Abuja, on Wednesday, however, insisted that the strike was long overdue, describing the court order stopping the NLC from proceeding on its planned strike as unfortunate and height of irresponsibility.
The group insisted that the court order was a misuse of judicial discretion, adding: “It is sad that judiciary which has always been seen as the last hope of the common man is now playing to the gallery, fallen into the contraptions of the politicians, thereby throwing the dignity, honour and true professionalism in to the dustbins.
“The judiciary has not ceased to acknowledge the fact that the workers have the constitutional right to protest against any policy of the government that adversely affect them, including judicial workers.
“The Campaign for Democracy is of the firm belief that the strike is long overdue, because virtually all the states in the country are owing their workers more than six months salaries; this alone has called for work boycott across the country.”
It blamed the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration for the woes of the Nigerian workers for not putting them into consideration before the increment was announced.
The group reminded the Buhari government not to forget its promise to make Nigerians happy, adding “how will N145.00 per litre of fuel make Nigerians happy? It has inflicted much pain and agony on the lives of Nigerians, hence the reversal.
“Consequently, we call on Nigerian workers to take their destiny in their own hands, by embarking on the proposed strike and defiance act. Nigerians should join hands with the NLC for the success of the strike, since it is a collective responsibility,” it said.
Tribune
It was, however, keen to stress that it had no intention of pressing for such punishment during the ongoing dispute with the workers.
Addressing State House corespondents after the meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr Chris Ngige, who reminded of the provision of the law, also said that government would not encourage breaking into factions of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
He said government would rather work for the reunification of the factions, hence it decided to meet with all shades of opinions in the organised Labour.
The minister advised them to be conscious of the existing laws, in order not to run foul of them.
The Federal Government is presently locked in negotiations with the two factions of the NLC, led by Ayuba Wabba and Joe Ajaero, respectively.
With Ngige at the briefing were the Ministers of Information and Culture, and Power, Works and Housing, Lai Mohammed and Babatunde Fashola, respectively.
Senate mediates in FG, NLC negotiation
The Senate, on Wednesday, emerged from a 35-minute closed-door session and directed its Committee on Labour to immediately interface with the Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over the ongoing strike embarked upon by the workers.
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the sitting and read the resolutions reached at the closed session, said the Senate asked the committee to dialogue with the feuding parties and ensure the strike was brought to an end.
He said the Labour Committee, headed by Senator Suleiman Nazif to commence work earnestly and consult widely.
Ekweremadu said: “The Senate, in a closed-door session deliberated on the nationwide strike by labour and the ways of resolving the issues to avoid untold hardships to Nigerians.
“We also mandated the Committee on Labour, under the chairmanship of Mohammed Nasif, to continue to interface with both government and labour for an early resolution of all the matters. Is this a true reflection of what transpired in closed session? The lawmakers chorused aye.”
The Campaign for Democracy, in a statement signed by its president, Ifeanyi Odili, in Abuja, on Wednesday, however, insisted that the strike was long overdue, describing the court order stopping the NLC from proceeding on its planned strike as unfortunate and height of irresponsibility.
The group insisted that the court order was a misuse of judicial discretion, adding: “It is sad that judiciary which has always been seen as the last hope of the common man is now playing to the gallery, fallen into the contraptions of the politicians, thereby throwing the dignity, honour and true professionalism in to the dustbins.
“The judiciary has not ceased to acknowledge the fact that the workers have the constitutional right to protest against any policy of the government that adversely affect them, including judicial workers.
“The Campaign for Democracy is of the firm belief that the strike is long overdue, because virtually all the states in the country are owing their workers more than six months salaries; this alone has called for work boycott across the country.”
It blamed the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration for the woes of the Nigerian workers for not putting them into consideration before the increment was announced.
The group reminded the Buhari government not to forget its promise to make Nigerians happy, adding “how will N145.00 per litre of fuel make Nigerians happy? It has inflicted much pain and agony on the lives of Nigerians, hence the reversal.
“Consequently, we call on Nigerian workers to take their destiny in their own hands, by embarking on the proposed strike and defiance act. Nigerians should join hands with the NLC for the success of the strike, since it is a collective responsibility,” it said.
Tribune
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