On Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu said that his administration decided to negotiate with organised labour despite their decision to embark on an indefinite strike because their primary focus is giving the people the right to air their grievances, not to lead them authoritatively.
According to President Tinubu, instead of clamping down on the workers after they shut down the country for two days, they invited the union leaders “to break bread” and discuss the reasons for the strike to amicably resolve the controversy.
The President, who said this during his Democracy Day speech on Wednesday, also added that this is because his government is committed to ensuring democratic ideals such as freedom of speech and the right to peaceful protest.
News About Nigeria recalls that the nationwide strike by the two major labour unions, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), its Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, and their affiliates over their demand for a new minimum wage and a reduction in electricity tariffs led to the shutdown of electricity, airports, hospitals, schools, and other major services across the country.
The unions, however, agreed to suspend the strike after two days to allow for more negotiations between themselves and the federal government.
In his Democracy Day speech, President Tinubu further stated that his administration would continue to serve the people and would never use force to stop them from demanding their rights as Nigerians.
He also noted that he would continue to listen to the people’s demands, adding that Nigeria would soon be great again.
