By Abimbola Ogunnaike
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) late on the night of Monday, 5 June, 2023 suspended their nationwide planned strike to protest the removal of fuel subsidy to give room for more consultations.
The suspension of the strike was contained in a communiqué signed by TUC President, Comrade Festus Osifo; Secretary General, Nuhu Toro; NLC President, Joseph Ajaero; Secretary General, Emmanuel Ugboaja; Speaker House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Ms Kachollom Daju.
Reading out the communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, Gbajabiamila, who led the government side, said seven resolutions were reached to address the situation.
According to the communiqué, the agreement are that; “The NLC to suspend the notice of strike forthwith to enable further consultations.
“The TUC and the NLC to continue the ongoing engagements with Federal Government and secure closure on the resolutions.
“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 World Bank Financed Cash transfer scheme and propose inclusion of low-income earners in the programme.
“The Federal Government, the TUC and the NLC to revive the CNG conversion programme earlier agreed with Labour centres in 2021 and work out detailed implementation and timing.
“The Labour centres and the Federal Government to review issues hindering effective delivery in the education sector and propose solutions for implementation.
“The Labour centres and the Federal Government to review and establish the framework for completion of the rehabilitation of the nation’s refineries.
“The federal government to provide a framework for the maintenance of roads and expansion of rail networks across the country.
“All other demands submitted by the TUC to the federal government will be assessed by the joint committee.”
Recall that The National Industrial Court, Abuja had earlier on Monday, 5 June 2023, stopped the NLC and TUC from embarking on a nationwide strike billed to start tomorrow.
Daily Trust had reported that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) had directed retail stations to jerk up the pump price of fuel from N197 to between N488 and N570 per litre.
This followed the declaration by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that fuel subsidy had gone.
However, Justice Olufunke Anuwe restrained the NLC and all its affiliates from further embarking on the strike until the hearing and determination of the main suit.
The court further ordered the service of the originating summons and motion on notice on the NLC against the next adjourned date of June 19.
The orders of the court followed an ex parte application by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice against the NLC and TUC.
The judge observed that the government had shown urgency on the matter because the proposed strike action was capable of disrupting economic activities, the health sector and the educational sector.
“In my view, this is a situation of extreme urgency that will require the intervention of this court,” she said.
