Fed Govt opts for dialogue with Labour to prevent strike
Following threats to embark on a nationwide strike over the new fuel price, the Federal Government plans to hold talks with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC). Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir David Lawal might lead the government's team which will include some ministers, it was learnt last night.
The two Labour centres at the weekend gave a 72-day ultimatum to the federal government to reverse the new petrol price of N145 cap or face mass action including strike and lock outs. A top official said yesterday that although the ultimatum is illegal, the Presidency will still give room for dialogue. The source said: "The government is inviting the NLC and TUC leaders for dialogue on the new pump price.
"We will rather engage the labour unions than confronting them. Dialogue will allow them to appreciate why the government opted for the deregulation of the sector. "The position of the Federal Government is that the ultimatum by the labour unions is illegal because it is not a trade dispute.
"It is about pricing. Why can't they declare trade dispute when GSM operators came on board, charging as much as N30,000 per SIM card? "Is the telecoms sector not better now with deregulation? This government will certainly not inflict pains on the masses."
NLC President Ayuba Wabba said yesterday that Labour was not averse to dialogue. According to him, the NLC has received a text message from an official of the Federal Ministry of Labour, and it is ready to discuss as soon as a letter of invitation is sent.
He said: "When we receive a formal notice, we will be there. We are ready for discussion and we are not running away from any discussion. You know also that every issue must be addressed on the round table where we can put all the parties together and all the arguments. So, anytime we receive notice of meeting, we will make ourselves available.
Asked whether the meeting will take place in the ministry, Wabba said: "I don’t know where the meeting will take place. But anywhere they want us, we will make ourselves available. But I think the issue is at a higher level now. I am hoping on that. But at any level they want to engage us, we will be ready to engage the issues towards finding a lasting solution".
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, is expected to brief the House of Representatives today on the hike in the price of the petrol from N86.5 to N145. The House at the weekend summoned an emergency closed-down session to hear from the nminister before taking a position on the issue.
Though the leader of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila who was at the stakeholders' meeting held before the announcement of the decision , rationalized that the decision was in the best interest of the nation, some lawmakers argue that the House ought to debate the issue.
Speaker of the House Yakubu Dogara, had said on Thursday that the House will collectively take a decision on the matter when it comes before them in plenary to ensure that the overall interest of all parties involved are protected.
He had said: "We are the House of the people so we don't judge. I do not want to come out with an opinion because I know that the matter, very soon, will come to the floor of the House of Representatives and as the presiding officer, I don't want to give my opinion before that time."
Cloud Tag: What's trending
Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.
Gbugbu Yakubu Mohammed Abdullahi Code Of Conduct Bureau Countryside Emerging Leaders Fellowship Owo Isowo Mukhtar Shagaya Ademola Kiyesola Olaitan Buraimoh Taibat Ayinke Ahmed Abdulkadir Orire RTEAN Kannike Mustapha AbdulGaniyu Unilorin FM Tanke Ilorin Emirate Stakeholders Forum Oba David Oyerinola Adedunmoye IQRA College Oyin-Zubair John Olobayo Shuaibu Yaman Abdullahi Ajibola Ademola Julius Salake Toyin Abdullahi Amosa Admiralty Villa Wahab Isa Abioye Bello KWASEIC March 28 Valsolar Consultoria Abdullahi Atanda KWASSIP SDP Iyabo Dupe Adekeye Sun Qing Rong0 Omoniyi Ayinla Hausa Abdulrazaq Akorede Saadu Alanamu Kassim Babamale REO CAKES Mahe Abdulkadir Jalala Ayinke Saka Abdulmajeed Wahab Bolakale Saka Moses Salami Overland Olam Food Ingredients Ndama Al-hassan Allocation Bayer Nigeria Limited Abdullahi AbdulMajeed Wahab Issa Olohungbebe Saadatu Modibbo-Kawu Joseph Bamigboye Osinbajo Sulu Babaita Isiaka Oko-Olowo Bamidele Adegoke Oladimeji Babs Iwarere Olaiya Victor Mobolaji Eghe Igbinehin Bature Bello Babaloja-General Abdulrazaq Aiyelabegan Toun Okewale-Sonaiya Eghe Igbinehi Just Event Online Oni Adebayo Universal Basic Education Commission Issa Baba Olusegun Adeniyi James Ayeni Park