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FG warns NLC against strike, mass protest

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THE Federal Government has warned the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) not to overheat the system with its threat to go on general strike and embark on mass protest over the 2012 budget and the non-provision of fuel subsidy in the budget.

It also declared, on Thursday, that the NLC was merely acting on speculations and advised the labour to be patient with the government.

Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, who spoke with journalists at the second National Consultation on Child Labour Policy and National Action Plan for the Elimination of Worst Forms of Labour,  said the budget presented by President Goodluck Jonathan to the National Assembly was clear and unambiguous, adding that the explanation by the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on the budget and issue of fuel subsidy removal was also very clear.

“It is for them (Labour) to be patient with the government and avoid speculations that will not overheat the system. The budget is clear and the explanation of the Minister of Finance is clear,” Labour Minister, Chief Wogu, said.

However, the minister stated that the reason given by the NLC to contemplate going on strike and mass protest did not qualify labour unions to go on strike.

Going by the provisions of the Labour Act, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions and the Trade Dispute Act, labour unions cannot go on strike on the pretext of anti-people policy by the government.

He, however, stated that the present administration was doing everything in the interest of the country and the ordinary people.

Chief Wogu said: “The organised labour are our social partners. We believe in the ILO Convention on tripartism, that is the government, the employer and the organised labour. You will equally agree with me that we are guided by the Labour Act, Trade Dispute Act and the ILO Convention. So, on the issue of strike, there are procedures; there are reasons for the organised labour to go on strike….

“If you listen to the further breakdown of the budget by the Coordinating Minister of Economy and Minister of Finance, she spoke on the budget which the president presented….”