May 1: NLC cancels workers day celebrations, gong-news.com
Fuel Subsidy: NLC suspends June 7 strike
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) confirmed on Monday that it will no longer proceed with its nationwide strike planned for Wednesday, June 7.
The decision was part of resolutions announced by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, and confirmed by the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, after a nearly six-hour meeting between the Federal Government and organised labour at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Monday’s engagement is the third in a series of meetings between the government and key labour stakeholders after the President, Bola Tinubu, announced the discontinuance of petroleum subsidies exactly one week ago.
At Monday’s meeting, the parties agreed that “the NLC will suspend notice of strike forthwith to enable further consultations.
“The TUC and the NLC should continue ongoing engagements with the Federal Government and secure closure on the resolutions.
“The labour centres and the Federal Government are to meet on June 19, 2023, to agree on an implementation framework.”
Gbajabiamila also announced that the FG, TUC, and NLC are to establish a joint committee to review the proposal of any wage increase or award and establish a framework and timeline for implementation.
The Federal Government, TUC, and NLC will also review the $800 million World Bank-financed cash transfer scheme and propose the inclusion of low-income earners in the programme.
Monday’s resolution also includes the review of the CNG conversion programme earlier agreed upon with labour centres in 2021 and the work out of detailed implementation and timing.
The labour centres and the FG will also review issues hindering effective delivery in the education sector and propose solutions for implementation.
The labour centres and the FG will review and establish the framework for completion of the rehabilitation of the nation’s refineries.
This also includes the provision of a framework for the maintenance of roads and the expansion of rail networks nationwide.
“All other demands submitted by the TUC to the Federal Government will be assessed by the joint committee,” the Speaker said.
On his part, the NLC President said, “These are the frameworks for us to follow in achieving some of the agreements reached here.
“You can see that it is not yet in concrete terms. So, at the adjourned date, we will go into more specifics to make sure this knotty issue is resolved.”
Asked if the strike had indeed been suspended, Ajaero said, “I thought that the speaker read it out.”
The President of the TUC, Festus Osifo, said organised labour is committed to resolving the issues raised and alleviating the suffering of those vulnerable Nigerians following the discontinuance of subsidies.
However, he urged the FG to take the resolutions seriously.
“So I want us to commit to getting these issues resolved as soon as possible.
“So for us from labour, we are totally committed to getting these issues resolved for the benefit of Nigerians,” Osifo said.
In attendance were the former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole; the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mele Kyari; Hon. James Faleke; and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Kachollom Daju, among others representing the FG.
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, and former Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, later joined the government’s delegation.
