Fakoyejo OlalekanThe President of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Festus Osifor, has warned that workers will commence protest against the Federal Government should both parties fail to reach an agreement on 19 August 2023.
On Monday, Osifor said the government has two weeks to reach an agreement to prevent the workers from taking to the street over the hardship in the country.
He hinted that negotiation over their demands, which includes Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) such as CNG, providing palliatives and reduction in the cost of governance, has been slow.
“As at today we have formed technical committees on cash transfers, on intervention fund, on reduction of cost of governance, on energy and power (developing CNG as alternative to PMS) and fixing of refineries.
“We also have technical committees on education and health and Mass Transit,” Osifor said while briefing journalist.
He said the government needs to fast-track action, as some technical committees haven’t met, while some have, “Our position is that government should fast track action and processes are concluded to ensure that the sufferings of Nigerians are ameliorated,” Osifor stated.
The TUC chief said eight weeks was given by the government, but the government has been slow in the discussion while Nigerians have been trekking to work.
“Government gave a timeline of eight weeks, begining from June 19, and if you do your calculation, eight weeks is going to be end by August 19.
“So far we have stayed more than one month and we felt that we are not going at the speed we anticipated and we want the government to fast tract action to ensure that between now and next two weeks all the committees must have submitted their report so that the Presidential Steering Committee can conclude it’s work immediately because we cannot continue to blow big, big grammar while Nigerians are suffering and people are trekking long distances to work.”
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