Ajaero accuses FG of using underhand tactics in fuel subsidy negotiation
By Emma Ogbuehi
President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero, has accused the Federal Government of using underhand tactics in its dealings with Organised labour on the issue of fuel subsidy removal.
The Federal Government is presently in a meeting with the NLC leadership in Abuja.
But even as negotiations are ongoing, the FG on Monday secured a court order restraining the organized labour from embarking on strike over fuel subsidy removal.
But Ajaero, who led the NLC delegation, told reporters he was unaware of any order by the Industrial Court, restraining the union from proceeding with an indefinite nationwide strike on Wednesday.
Ajaero who spoke when the meeting went on recess to allow for consultations with the National Executive Council (NEC) of the NLC, said while both sides have been attempting to woo themselves, there was no need for government to use underhand tactics.
Instead, he reiterated that the government should engage Labour and address the concerns of workers.
Meanwhile, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has joined the ongoing meeting between the Federal Government and leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: FG, NLC meet over fuel subsidy
The TUC delegation is led by the body’s President, Festus Osifo,
The negotiations aim to address the pressing issues at hand, especially the removal of fuel subsidy, its attendant hike in pump price of petrol, also known as the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and the harsh conditions on the masses.
Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele and former Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, have also joined the government’s delegation at the meeting.
