The Nigerian Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has suspended its planned nationwide strike scheduled to commence on Wednesday over the removal of subsidy on petrol.
TheHintsNews recalls the NLC had vowed to embark on strike if the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) fails to revert the current template on the increase in the price of fuel occasioned by the withdrawal of fuel subsidy.
However, the Labour union in the early hours of Wednesday decided to shelve the planned strike after a series of meetings between the government and key labour stakeholders.
The decision was part of resolutions reached after a nearly six-hour meeting between the federal government and the organised labour at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The decision was announced by the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and confirmed by the President of NLC, Joe Ajaero.
Monday’s engagement was the third in a series of meetings between the government and key labour stakeholders after the President, Bola Tinubu, announced the discontinuance of petroleum subsidy a week ago.
At the end of the meeting on Monday, the parties agreed that the NLC will suspend notice of strike forthwith to enable further consultations.
It was also agreed at the meeting that the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the NLC will continue ongoing engagements with the federal government and secure closure on the resolutions.
A joint statement issued Tuesday and signed by Gbajabiamila, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Kachollom Daju, Ajaero and TUC president, Festus Osifo, agreed to resolve the issues associated with the removal of subsidy.
It reads: “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.
“The federal government, the TUC and the NLC to review the World Bank Financed Cash transfer scheme and propose inclusion of low-income earners in the program.
“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.
“The Labour centers and the federal government to review issues hindering effective delivery in the education sector and propose solutions for implementation.”
The meeting also agreed that labour centers and the federal government to review and establish the framework for completion of the rehabilitation of the nation’s refineries.
It was also agreed that the federal government would provide a framework for the maintenance of roads and expansion of rail networks across the country.
It was also agreed that all other demands submitted by the TUC to the federal government will be assessed by the joint committee.
Consequently, the parties agreed: “The NLC to suspend the notice of strike forthwith to enable further consultations.
“The TUC and the NLC to continue the ongoing engagements with the federal government and secure closure on the resolutions above.”
NLC Suspends Strike, Agrees to Dialogue with FG
