The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned the Ogun state government to embrace meaningful dialogue in resolving the current crisis between it and workers in the state in order to avoid a major industrial dispute from organised labour in the country. In a letter dated October 27, 2016 and addressed to the the state governor, Ibikunle Amosun, the congress also offered to mediate between the government and workers in the state.
In the letter signed by the General Secretary of Congress, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson, the NLC also warned against the use of police to harass and intimidate labour leaders in the state, pointing out that the demands of the workers are legal and covered by extant labour laws in the country.
The letter reads: “We convey to you greetings from the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and wish to acknowledge receipt of your letter on the above subject matter. We are surprised by the stance of the state government on genuine agitations of the workers in Ogun State. Instead of the state government to create an avenue for dialogue and resolution of the crisis, it is engaging in name-calling which will only exacerbate the problem.
“We are also surprised to hear that the Nigeria Police have cordoned-off the office of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Ogun State and have resorted to intimidating the Labour leaders in the state. We are also disturbed by attempts being made on the lives of the Labour Leaders in the state. The Nigeria Police are expected to be neutral in this matter and are not expected to harass or intimidate workers who are pursuing their legitimate demands recognised by Nigerian Laws.
“The present industrial action embarked on by the workers arose because of the failure of government to fully implement the March, 2016 collective bargaining agreement which led to the suspension of the strike in March.”