Hours to the end of the twenty one days ultimatum issued by the organised labour, the Federal Government, on Wednesday, September 20, said it has no fears about a potential economic shutdown.

This follows last Monday’s deadlocked parley, as both parties failed to see eye-to-eye on the labour unions’ demands over the removal of petrol subsidy.

Simon Lalong, the Minister of Labour and Employment of Nigeria had earlier met the Organised Labour in Abuja. However, both parties failed to reach a consensus as the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) insisted that the Federal Government must meet its demands ahead of the twenty one day ultimatum it issued on September 1.

The union had handed down the twenty one day ultimatum over the delay in sharing palliatives, saying it might be compelled to declare an indefinite labour action if its demands were not met.

Among other demands, the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) are requesting for wage awards, implementation of palliatives, tax exemptions and allowances to public sector workers and a review of the minimum wage.

Though the Federal Government committed to restructuring the framework for engagement with organised Labour on palliatives, the eight-week timeframe set for the conclusion of the process expired in August with no action.