NLC, TUC Suspend Strike For 30 Days
The planned indefinite nationwide strike due to start on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, has been postponed for 30 days, according to an agreement reached on Monday between the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).
The choice was made in accordance with agreements made between organised labour and the federal government regarding the provision of palliatives by the government to lessen the suffering of Nigerians brought on by the Federal Government's withdrawal of its subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and the subsequent increase in the price of the good.
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had given a strike notice that had expired, and they were prepared to go on strike that was scheduled to start on Tuesday, October 3, 2023.
As a result, the Federal Government convened a meeting to prevent the strike, and following extensive debate, agreements were reached to halt the walkout for 30 days.
In the agreements signed by Joe Ajaero on behalf of the NLC and Festus Osifo on behalf of the TUC, the Federal Government agreed to award a wage award of N35,000 to all Federal Government employees beginning in September until the anticipated passage of a new national minimum wage into law.
In addition, they pledged to form a minimum wage committee within a month of the agreement's signing, and the government also vowed to stop collecting Value Added Tax (VAT) on diesel for a period of six months starting in October 2023.
The Federal Government also agreed to vote N100 billion for the purchase of high capacity CNG buses for Nigeria's mass transit system. Additionally, plans are being made for the initial purchase of 55,000 CNG conversion kits to help launch a nationwide auto gas conversion programme. The deployment is planned to start in November with pilot programmes on 10 campuses around the country.
The proposed introduction of different tax incentive programmes for the private sector and the general public are among the others.
The Federal Government pledges to handle labour concerns in accordance with the ILO Conventions and Nigerian Labour Acts in light of the leadership crises roiling the NURTW and the alleged proscription of RTEAN. It is anticipated that the present deadlock would be broken by October 13 or earlier.
The Ministry of Labour and Employment was contacted for further discussion regarding the issue of unpaid salaries and wages for employees working in tertiary education in Federally held educational institutions.
The Federal Government also declared its commitment to providing 15 million households, including vulnerable seniors, with N25,000 per month for three months beginning in October 2023.
The federal government also agreed to step up its plans for subsidising fertiliser supplies to farmers all around the nation.
"The Federal Government should encourage State Government to establish salary awards for their employees through the National Economic Council and Governors Forum. Workers in the private sector and municipal government should be given the same attention.
"The Federal Government commits to providing the monies for micro and small scale enterprises that were mentioned by the President on the August 1 broadcast to the Nation. Beneficiaries of MSMEs should pledge to uphold the idea of respectable employment.
"The refineries will receive a joint visitation to determine their level of repair.
"All parties pledge to follow the social dialogue's guidelines moving forward in all of our dealings.
"This Memorandum shall be filed as a consent judgement by the Federal Government with the relevant Court of Competent Jurisdiction within one (1) week."
The signatures for the federal government were provided by Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, and Simon Bako Lalong, Minister of Labour and Employment.
