Looming labour strike: SDP urges FG to fast-track mechanisms to avert action

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) on Monday advised the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to fast-track mechanisms to avert an indefinite strike by the organised labour.

Mr Femi Olaniyi, South-West Zonal Secretary, SDP, gave the advice in an interview with the newsmen in Lagos.

Supreme News recalls that Mr Simon Lalong, the Minister of Labour and Employment, had on Sept. 4 invited the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) for a meeting to avert the earlier two-day nationwide warning strike.

The NLC National Executive Council had on Sept. 1, in a communique threatened to embark on an indefinite strike within 21 days of the issuance of the communique.

Olaniyi, however, called on the federal government to fast-track the fulfilment of promises made to NLC and TUC with a view to averting the looming strike.

He also advised the organised labour not to allow it to be used by opposition parties against the current administration.

According to him, the NLC and TUC need to give this new administration a chance and time in sorting all their needs.

“Calling for strike here and there is not civil enough and not the solution to the present economic situation in the country now.

“If NLC and TUC do not want this administration to fail, they should consider many average Nigerians that are not members of their unions and stay calm for now.”

Supreme News reports that among other demands, the NLC and the TUC are asking for wage awards, implementation of palliatives, tax exemptions and allowances to the public sector workers and a review of the minimum wage.

Supreme News also reports that though the federal government made a commitment to restructure the framework for engagement with organised labour on palliatives, the eight-week timeframe set for the conclusion of the process expired in August with no action whatsoever.