Senate wants strike suspended, invites NLC, TUC leaders

The Senate has urged the organised labour to suspend its ongoing industrial action just as it invited the leadership of both the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) for an urgent meeting.

The meeting, among others, is to address the grievances of labour.

In a resolution reached during Wednesday’s plenary session, the senators urged both unions and other protesting unions to put a stop to the ongoing strike in national interest.

The lawmakers also invited the leadership of the unions to a meeting with a view to resolving the issues amicably.

Persecondnews reports that the motion was moved by the Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Bamidele Opeyemi, and supported by former NLC President and Edo senator, Adams Oshiomhole.

Contributing to the debate, Oshiomhole, called on the Senate to condemn the act of brutality meted out to the NLC President by the police.

He also called on the government to honour agreement reached with organised labour so there “can be a lasting solution”.

He said: “I am concerned about the way our police manage protest. When I was in NLC I was dragged on the floor of the tarmac of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja because we had issued a notice to go on strike.

“It is legitimate for us to condemn without any reservation act of brutality against protesters, including the President of the NLC.

“I want to thank the mover of the motion, I know we can find solution to these issues.”

The former governor of Edo state, however, called on NLC to distinguish between political agitation and issues that borders on welfare of workers.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, put the motion into voice vote and it was overwhelming supported by the Senators.

Also, the House of Representatives through a motion on matters of urgent national importance urged the leadership of the National Assembly to urgently address the issues that triggered the strike.

The Speaker of the House, Mr Tajudeen Abbas, said the leadership of the National Assembly will swing into action immediately.

Persecondnews had reported that the NLC and the TUC on Tuesday commenced a nationwide strike to protest the pummeling of the NLC National President, Joe Ajaero, in Imo State capital, Owerri, about two weeks ago.