Subsidy Removal: NLC, TUC suspend strike

The Organised Labour, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), has agreed to postpone its planned strike, originally scheduled to commence tomorrow, Wednesday in order to engage in further negotiations with the Federal Government.

This decision was reached at the conclusion of a meeting held on Monday Night.

The meeting, which took place on Monday, was attended by various dignitaries who endorsed the resolutions.

These individuals included Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President; Festus Osifo, President of TUC; Nuhu Torò, Secretary General of TUC; Joseph Ajaero, President of NLC; Emmanuel Ugboaja mni, General Secretary of NLC; and Ms Kachollom S. Daju, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

The following resolutions were agreed upon during the meeting:

1. The TUC and NLC will continue engaging with the Federal Government to achieve closure on the aforementioned resolutions.
2. A meeting will be held between the Labour Centres and the Federal Government on June 19, 2023, to establish an implementation framework.
3. A joint committee will be formed by the Federal Government, TUC, and NLC to review proposals for potential wage increases or awards, and to establish a framework and timeline for their implementation.
4. The World Bank Financed Cash transfer scheme will be reviewed by the Federal Government, TUC, and NLC, with a proposal for the inclusion of low-income earners in the program.
5. The CNG conversion programme, previously agreed upon by the Labour centres in 2021, will be revived by the Federal Government, TUC, and NLC, with detailed plans for implementation and timing.
6. Issues impeding effective delivery in the education sector will be reviewed by the Labour centres and the Federal Government, who will propose solutions for implementation.
7. The framework for the completion of the nation’s refineries will be reviewed and established by the Labour centres and the Federal Government.
8. The Federal Government will develop a framework for the maintenance of roads and the expansion of rail networks throughout the country.
9. The joint committee will assess all other demands submitted by the TUC to the Federal Government.

In light of these resolutions, the planned strike has been suspended to allow for further discussions and negotiations between the Labour Centres and the Federal Government.