Victor Ezeja
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have resolved to suspend the nationwide strike earlier scheduled to begin on Wednesday, June 7, over the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol).
The resolution was reached after a meeting between representatives of the Federal Government and the labour unions on Monday, June 5 at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The Federal Government was represented by Femi Gbajabiamila, the Speaker, House of Representatives and Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu; Ms. Kachollom Daju, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment; and Dele Alake, Tinubu’s spokesperson.
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Representatives of organised labour were NLC president, Joe Ajero, and the TUC president, Festus Usifo.
According to the statement signed by both representatives of organised labour and the Federal Government, they resolved to form a joint committee to review the proposal for any wage increase and establish a framework and timeline for implementation.
They also resolved that the joint committee made up of the Federal Government, the TUC, and the NLC will review the World Bank Financed Cash transfer scheme and propose the inclusion of low-income earners in the program, meant to cushion the effect of the petrol subsidy removal.
The statement read: “Labour Congress (NLC), and the Federal Government to resolve the issues associated with the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) on June 5, 2023
“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:
“1. 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.
“2. The Federal Government, the TUC and the NLC to review the World Bank Financed Cash transfer scheme and propose the inclusion of low-income earners in the program.
“3. 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.
“4. The Labour centers and the Federal Government to review issues hindering effective delivery in the education sector and propose solutions for implementation.
“5. The Labour centers and the Federal Government to review and establish the framework for the completion of the rehabilitation of the nation’s refineries.
“6. The Federal Government to provide a framework for the maintenance of roads and the expansion of rail networks across the country
“7. All other demands submitted by the TUC to the Federal Government will be assessed by the joint committee.”
They also agreed in the meeting that TUC and the NLC will continue the ongoing engagements with the Federal Government and secure closure on the resolutions reached.
The parties also agreed that the Labour Centers and the Federal Government will meet on June 19, 2023, to agree on an implementation framework.
Meanwhile, the National Industrial Court had earlier on Monday granted an order restraining the labour unions from embarking on the strike.
READ ALSO: Subsidy: Court Bars NLC, TUC From Embarking On Strike
The session presided by Justice Olufunke Anuwe gave the ruling following an ex parte application brought by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice seeking to stop the planned strike.
Justice Anuwe adjourned further on the matter to 19 June.
The court noted that the Federal Government’s submission was that the planned strike would have a grave effect on critical sectors like health and education and the economy in general.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
