FG Vs Labour: Reactions As Soldiers Beseige Meeting Venue
*Labour sends warning signals, if…
Soldiers are currently surrounding the venue of a crucial meeting between the Federal Government and Organised Labour, according to a source from the labour union who spoke to Vanguard on Monday evening.
The source suggested that the military presence is intended to intimidate the labour leaders, but emphasized that despite this, the leaders remain resolute.
Earlier, Vanguard reported that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, summoned the leadership of Organised Labour for the meeting. Although the specific agenda was not disclosed, it is believed to be related to discussions on the minimum wage and the ongoing nationwide strike.
The labour unions, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), initiated an indefinite strike on Monday, significantly impacting various sectors across the country. This move is said to have led to heightened tensions and a firm response from the government, underscoring the critical nature of the negotiations.
The news was also shared on Labour Union Official twitter handle, as shown in the screenshot below. The tweet have generated some reactions:
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has warned that any attempts to intimidate, provoke, or blackmail its leaders during negotiations would exacerbate the ongoing industrial action and potentially prolong the strike indefinitely.
Politics Nigeria reports that that warning was made in a statement posted on its official social media handle on Monday.
The NLC said: “Any attempt to intimidate, provoke or blackmail our leaders at the negotiation table would worsen the issue and further prolong our action indefinitely. Our leaders are acting in accordance with the directives of our organs. Viva! Organised labour. Viva! Working people of Nigeria!”
The NLC also confirmed that soldiers were surrounding the venue of the meeting between labour leaders and the government at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
In a separate post, the body said: “Soldiers are presently surrounding the venue of the meeting between Labour and Government at the premises of the SGF.”
The emergency meeting was summoned by SGF George Akume following the ongoing indefinite nationwide strike.
SOURCE: Opera News
