By Cross Udo, Abuja
The Federal Government will on Tuesday meet with the two factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) at the Ministry of Labour and Employment headquarters Conference Room, in Abuja.
Recall that the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, had accused the Federal Government of interfering with the activities of the NURTW by allegedly trying to remove the union’s democratically elected President and impose its preferred candidates on the leadership of the union.
But during the meeting between the government and the organized labour, among the resolutions contained in the MoU was that the government should resolve the crisis on or before October 13.
The MoU stated, “On the leadership crises rocking the NURTW and the purported proscription of RTEAN, the Federal Government commits to handling Labour matters in line with relevant ILO Conventions and Nigerian Labour Acts. A resolution of the ongoing impasse is expected by or before October 13.”
It was reliably gathered that the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, and the Minister of State, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha met with the two factions on Thursday last week to meet up with the October 13 deadline.
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It was further gathered that as the two factions honoured the invitation for the meeting and were already seated, the Minister got an urgent invitation from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) for a crucial meeting.
Consequently, the meeting was postponed to Tuesday as it was gathered that there will be a Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting today (Monday).
It will be recalled also that after its Emergency National Executive Council, NEC, meeting, the NLC on September 1, resolved to shut down socio-economic activities in the country, starting with a two-day warning strike on September 5 and 6.
In the Communique read by the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero said that the NEC-in-session observed that: “The Federal Government has refused to engage and reach an agreement with Organised Labour on the critical issues of the consequences of the unfortunate hike in the price of petrol which has unleashed massive suffering on Nigerian workers and masses.
“There is a renewed onslaught against trade unions and their leadership by the State and its agents across Nigeria.
“The Police under the instruction of certain forces peddling the name of the President of the federation have invaded and occupied illegally the National Headquarters of the NURTW making it difficult for the Union to discharge its responsibilities to its membership across the nation.”
It’s expected that Tuesday’s meeting will resolve the leadership crisis rocking the NURTW.
