In a surprising turn of events, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) announced on Monday that they have decided to cancel the nationwide strike initially planned for Wednesday.
The resolution came after a crucial meeting held between the federal government and the labor unions at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
A notice signed by prominent figures, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, NLC President Joe Ajaero, TUC President Festus Osifo, and Kachollom Daju, the permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, outlined the details of the decision.
According to reports, the parties involved agreed that the NLC will immediately suspend the strike notice to allow for further consultations.
The resolution came as a result of extensive engagements and intervention by the Speaker of the House of Representatives to address the disputes arising from the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
Key resolutions were reached during the meeting. First, ‘the federal government, TUC, and NLC agreed to establish a joint committee responsible for reviewing proposals related to wage increases or awards. The committee will also establish a framework and timeline for the implementation of these proposals.
“Additionally, the parties involved will review the World Bank-financed Cash Transfer scheme and consider the inclusion of low-income earners in the program.
“Furthermore, they will revive the CNG Conversion program, previously agreed upon with labor centers in 2021, and work out the detailed implementation and timing.
To improve the education sector, “the labor centers and the federal government will collaborate to identify and address the issues hindering effective delivery in this field. They will also establish a framework for the completion of the nation’s refineries’ rehabilitation.
Addressing infrastructure concerns, “the federal government will provide a framework for the maintenance of roads and the expansion of rail networks across the country. All other demands put forth by the TUC to the federal government will be evaluated by the joint committee.
“Consequently, the NLC and TUC agreed to suspend the strike notice while continuing their ongoing engagements with the federal government. A meeting is scheduled for June 19, 2023, where both parties will finalize the implementation framework.
Earlier in the day, the National Industrial Court of Nigeria in Abuja issued an order instructing the labor unions to halt their planned strike. The court’s decision came after the federal government filed an ex parte request, which was granted by Judge Olufunke Anuwe. As a result, the NLC and TUC were restrained from embarking on the strike scheduled to commence on Wednesday.
The fuel subsidy removal, announced by President Bola Tinubu in his inaugural address on May 29, had triggered widespread discontent. Following the announcement, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) raised fuel prices by nearly 200 percent, leading to increased transportation fares and higher prices for goods and services.
With the cancellation of the nationwide strike, stakeholders will now focus on the collaborative efforts between labor unions and the federal government to address the concerns raised by workers and find sustainable solutions for the benefit of all Nigerians.
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