NLC, TUC Backpedal, Shelve Strike After Aso Rock Meeting
- Parties meet June 19 on implementation framework
BY EDMOND ODOK – The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have suspended the planned nationwide strike over the recent hike in fuel price occasioned by the Federal Government’s announced subsidy removal
The development comes less than 48 hours to the strike commencement by the NLC that had mobilised its 36 States and FCT Council’s as well as affiliate unions demanding Federal Government’s reversal to the old price of N197.
But rising from a meeting of government representatives and Labour officials at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Monday, both sides officially announced that certain measures have been put in place with agreement reached for the strike to be on hold.
The resolutions were conveyed in a communique signed by TUC President, Comrade Festus Osifo; Secretary General, Nuhu Toro; NLC President, Comrade Joseph Ajaero; Secretary General, Emmanuel Ugboaja; Speaker House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Ms Kachollom Daju.
Speaker Gbajabiamila, who led the government delegation to the meeting, read the communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, saying that seven resolutions were reached to address the current situation.
According to him, three agreements were reached, including the suspension of the planned nationwide strike scheduled to take off on Wednesday and the need for the negotiation teams to reconvene on June 19, 2023 to agree on the implementation of the frameworks.
The communique stated thus; “The NLC to suspend the notice of strike forthwith to enable further consultations.
“The TUC and the NLC to continue the ongoing engagements with the Federal Government and secure closure on the resolutions above.
“The Labour Centers and the Federal Government to meet on June 19, 2023, to agree on an implementation framework”.
The communique further said û; “Following the engagements between the Federal Government, TUC and the NLC, with the intervention of the Speaker, House of Representatives to resolve the disputes that arose from the withdrawal of subsidy on PMS, the following resolutions were reached:
“The Federal Government, the TUC and the NLC to establish a joint committee to review the proposal for any wage increase or award and establish a framework and timeline for implementation.
“The Federal Government, the TUC and the NLC to review World Bank Financed Cash transfer scheme and propose inclusion of low-income earners in the program.
“The Federal Government, the TUC and the NLC to revive the CNG conversion program earlier agreed with Labor centers in 2021 and work out detailed implementation and timing.
“The Labour Centres and the Federal Government to review issues hindering effective delivery in the education sector and propose solutions for implementation.
“The Labour Centres and the Federal Government to review and establish the framework for completion of the rehabilitation of the nation’s refineries.
“The Federal Government to provide a framework for the maintenance of roads and expansion of rail networks across the country.
“All other demands submitted by the TUC to the Federal Government will be assessed by the joint committee.”
Monday’s meeting was the third in the series of engagement between Labour leaders and the Federal Government since the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) suddenly jerked up petrol pump price with its new pricing templates.
The first meeting held on Wednesday, May 30 ended in deadlock while the NLC boycotted the Sunday meeting which the TUC officials attended with government representatives at Aso Rock.
On Monday, June 5, Comrade Joe Ajaero-led NLC officials to the meeting, with the TUC President, Festus Osifo, and his team joining the session later.
However, the meeting at Aso Villa was still in progress when news filtered in that the National Industrial Court (NIC) has restrained the NLC from calling out workers on strike over fuel subsidy removal
Reports indicated that the government had filed a suit to prevent the strike from taking place and the Court granted an injunction barring the NLC and its affiliates from embarking on the planned nationwide action.
But chatting with State House correspondents when the meeting was briefly on break to enable further consultations by NLC’s National Executive Council (NEC), the Congress President, Comrade Ajaero said he was not aware of any Court order restraining the Congress from proceeding with an indefinite strike.
Acknowledging that progress has been made by both sides at the negotiation table, the NLC President however said the government does not need to deploy any underhand tactics if there is sincerity in its interaction with Labour towards alleviating the sufferings of Nigerians.
