Labour may shelve the nationwide strike slated for Wednesday – less than 48 hours away – going by the outcome of the meeting it has with the Federal Government this evening at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Last week, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) resolved to ground activities nationwide from 3rd October, following what they described as the “failure” of government to successfully implement policies to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians following the removal of the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
One of the resolutions contained in the statement issued by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mallam Mohammed Idris read: “NLC and TUC will consider the offers by the Federal Government with a view to suspending the planned strike to allow for further consultations on the implementation of the resolutions above”.
The meeting agreed that the issues in dispute “can only be resolved when workers are at work and not when they are on strike”, and that “a sub-committee to be constituted to work out the details of implementation of all items for consideration regarding government interventions to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal”.
According to the statement, “labour unions argued for higher wage award and the Federal Government Team promised to present labour’s request to President Bola Tinubu for further consideration”.
The statement further read: “The lingering matter of Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) and National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Lagos State needs to be addressed urgently and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who participated virtually, pledged to resolve the matter.
“NLC and TUC will consider the offers by the Federal Government with a view to suspending the planned strike to allow for further consultations on the implementation of the resolutions above|.
According to Idris, the parties noted that “the Federal Government has announced N35,000 only as provisional wage award for all treasury-paid Federal Government workers for six months following further consultation with President Bola Tinubu.
“The Federal Government is committed to fast-tracking the provision of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to ease public transportation difficulties associated with the removal of PMS subsidy.
“The Federal Government commits to the provision of funds for micro and small-scale enterprises.
“VAT on diesel will be waived for the next six months.
“The Federal Government will commence payment of N75,000 to 15 million households at N25,000 per month, for a three-month period from October-December 2023”.
In attendance at the meeting, chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila. were the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Governor Abdulrazak Abdulrahman of Kwara State; while Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State.
Also in attendance were the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun; Idris; Minister of Labour and Employment, Rt. Hon. Simon Lalong; Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite; Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan; and National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
The labour delegation was led by NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero; TUC Deputy President, Dr Tommy Etim Okon; NLC General Secretary, Comrade Emma Ugboaja; TUC General Secretary, and Comrade Nuhu Toro, among others.
