Why NLC Suspends Planned Nationwide Strike

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Monday, June 5, has suspended planned strike over the fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government.

NLC however secured seven key agreements with the Federal Government before suspending  the strike scheduled to commence on Wednesday, June 7.

NLC had declared the strike to compel the government to rescind its decision to remove the subsidy on petrol.

While the NLC was mobilising its members across the country’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, a sister union, the Trade Union Congress (TUC), was meeting with the Federal Government to avert the strike.

TUC also suggested ways out of the looming crisis to the Federal Government.

In a move to block the labour union from embarking on the strike, the Federal Government approached the National Industrial Court in Abuja to seek an ex-parte order stopping the industrial action.

On Monday, June 5, Justice O. Y. Anuwe of the National Industrial Court ordered the workers to halt the planned strike pending the determination of the case brought against them by the government.

Meanwhile, another government delegation headed by the Chief of Staff to the President, and Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, met with the Joe Ajaero-led NLC and the TUC.

The parties agreed on the following, which led to suspension of the planned strike on Monday night.

1. 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.
2. The Federal Government, the TUC and the NLC to review the World Bank Financed Cash transfer scheme and propose the inclusion of low-income earners in the programme.
3. The Federal Government, the TUC and the NLC to revive the CNG conversion program earlier agreed with labour centres in 2021 and work out detailed implementation and tinting.
4. The Labour centres and the Federal Government to review issues hindering effective delivery in the education sector and propose solutions for implementation.
5. The Labour centres and the Federal Government to review and establish the framework for the completion of the rehabilitation of the nation’s refineries.
6. The Federal Government to provide a framework for the maintenance of roads and the expansion of rail networks across the country.
7. All other demands submitted by the TUC to the Federal Government will be assessed by the joint committee.

The parties also agreed on the following:

1. The NLC to suspend the notice of strike forthwith to enable further consultations.
2. The TUC and the NLC to continue the ongoing engagements with the Federal Government and secure closure on the resolutions above.
3. The Labour centers and the Federal Government to meet on June 19, 2023, to agree on an implementation framework.

The agreement was signed by Festus Osifo, President, TUC; Joe Ajaero, President, NLC; Nuhu Tors, Secretary General, TUC; Emmanuel Ugboaja, General Secretary, NLC; Kachollom S. Daju, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, and Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker House of Representatives.

 

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