By Yusuf Olukokun
The Federal Government has issued a warning to Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) and Trade Union Congress(TUC) not to embark on a nationwide strike on Monday, June 3.
Following the imbroglio happening between the tripartite committee, Federal Government and the twin unions, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, Minister of Justice, verbally called the plan to start a nationwide strike as “premature,” “ineffectual” and illegal”.
He said the talks and issues surrounding the increment of minimum wage is currently being addressed, so, the unions are not fulfilling the conditions that warrant embarking on strike.
Lateef Fagbemi in a letter issued to the both unions maintained that the committee set up by FG, and other stakeholders never shut the negotiating avenue.
Noting further, the Minister also argued that not only the Federal Government and State Government would be the sole employers to bow to the demands of new minimum wage, it was highly important “vital to balance the interest and capacity of all employers of labour in the country (inclusive of Organized Private Sector) in order to determine a minimum wage for the generality of the working population”.
He simply implored the union to come back to the negotiating table, as the National Industrial Court had barred both unions not embark on any strike.