The Federal Government yesterday cautioned the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) against heating up the polity over fuel subsidy removal.
It described the threat by the NLC to stage mass protests over the 2012 Budget proposal presented before the National Assembly on Tuesday, as unnecessary.
Minister of Labour Emeka Wogu said: “It is for them (labour) to be patient with government and avoid speculations that will overheat the system. The budget is clear and the explanation of the Minister of Finance is clear.”
The minister said the reason given by the NLC for contemplating going on strike and mass protest do not warrant such position.
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 said.
He added that President Jonathan is working in the interest of the people.
Wogu spoke in Abuja at the second National Consultation on Child Labour Policy and National Action Plan for the Elimination of Worst Forms of Labour.
Wogu noted that the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s clarification on the budget and issue of fuel subsidy removal was also very explanatory.
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Fed Govt to NLC: don’t heat up the polity