REPS BEG NLC, TUC, OTHERS TO SHELVE PLANNED STRIKE

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The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Labour, Employment and Productivity, Adegboyega Adefarati, has pleaded with the nation’s organised labour to call off their planned strike scheduled to hold on Wednesday.

The organised labour unions – the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress, the National Association of Resident Doctors among others have scheduled to commence the industrial action on Wednesday to protest against the hardship on their members and the whole Nigerians over the effect of fuel subsidy removal of the Federal Government.

Adefarati made the appeal on Monday while speaking in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

The lawmaker in his appeal urged the workers to consider the likely negative consequences of the strike on Nigerians and reverse their decision.

Adefarati expressed concern about the impact the planned industrial action could have on ordinary Nigerians, particularly those who are already grappling with the economic situation and called on the workers to rescind the decision.

He said: “My appeal to organised labour is for them to shelve the planned protest slated for August 2. This is a new administration and I can assure you that My President belongs to the progressive group. He has set up a committee headed by the Chief of Staff, and they have been meeting and interacting with the workers.

“Workers should look into the option of negotiation and embrace dialogue rather than protest. A stable industrial and harmonious relationship is a sine quo non to development. So, we are appealing to them to shelve the idea and wait for the outcome of the meeting. I believe that it will be a win-win situation for the country, and even for the workers.

“I can assure them that any input they need from the House of Representatives, we are ready. Any agreement reached will be given swift and prompt action by the House. Like the issue of the palliative bill. When the bill of N500 billion was brought to the House, it was given speedy approval because we are there to serve our people.

“This government will look critically at their demands. Asiwaju is known to everybody in Nigeria; when he was governor of Lagos State, we knew what he did, even concerning workers’ welfare. I can assure you that at the end of the day, everyone will laugh. There are so many initiatives they are planning that will give succour to the effect of the subsidy. In all honesty, subsidy is like cancer we must do away with it.”

The House committee chairman also noted that the Federal Government was actively engaged in addressing the issue in a comprehensive manner.