The organized labour has suspended its proposed indefinite strike for 30 days after a trade-off meeting with the federal government last night that protracted until midnight.
Recall that the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) slated October 3rd for the commencement of their proposed industrial action in protest against the removal of fuel subsidies by the federal government, which has worsened the hardship faced by Nigerians.
But the government, in last night’s meeting, struck a deal with organized labor, averting an imminent strike that could have grounded the economy.
One of the key agreements reached by both parties at the meeting is the duration of the payment of the N35,000 provisional salary increment.
MUK TV had reported earlier that President Bola Tinubu approved the provisional salary increment for federal workers, but only for six months, a duration which the organized labor rejected and insisted that it should be paid till next year pending the determination of a new minimum wage.
Consequently, before announcing the suspension of the strike, the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, said if the issues are not implemented after 30 days, they will revisit them.
But reading the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the end of the meeting, which ended about 11 p.m., the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, said organized labor has suspended the planned indefinite strike for 30 days.
The MoU also mandated the Minister of Labour to look into the withheld salaries of university staff.
The MoU read: “Arising from the withdrawal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) by the Federal Government and the resultant increase in the price of the commodity, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) issued a strike notice, which had elapsed, and they were poised to embark on a strike billed to commence on Tuesday, the 3rd of October, 2023.
“Consequently, a meeting was called by the Federal Government to avert the strike, and after much discussion, the following agreements were reached: The Federal Government grants a wage award of N35,000 (thirty-five thousand Naira) only to all Federal Government workers beginning in the month of September, pending when a new national minimum wage is expected to have been signed into law.
“A minimum wage committee shall be inaugurated within one month from the date of this agreement.
“The Federal Government suspends the collection of value-added tax (VAT) on diesel for six months beginning in October 2023.
“The Federal Government accepts to vote N100 billion for the provision of high-capacity CNG buses for mass transit in Nigeria. Provisions are also being made for an initial 55,000 CNG conversion kits to kick-start an auto gas conversion program, while work is ongoing on state-of-the-art CNG stations nationwide. The rollout aims to commence by November, with pilots across 10 campuses nationwide.
“The Federal Government plans to implement various tax incentive measures for the private sector and the general public.
“On the leadership crisis rocking the NURTW and the purported proscription of RTEAN, the Federal Government commits to handling labor matters in line with relevant ILO Conventions and Nigerian Labour Acts. A resolution of the ongoing impasse is expected by or before October 13.
“The issue of outstanding salaries and wages of tertiary education workers in federally owned educational institutions is being referred to the Ministry of Labour and Employment for further engagement.
“The Federal Government commits to paying N25,000 per month for three months starting in October 2023 to 15 million households, including vulnerable pensioners.
“The Federal Government will increase its initiatives on subsidized distribution of fertilizers to farmers across the country.
“The Federal Government should urge state governments, through the National Economic Council and Governors Forum, to implement wage awards for their workers.
“Similar consideration should also be given to local government and private sector workers.
“The Federal Government commits to the provision of funds as announced by the President on the 1st of August and broadcast to the nation for micro- and small-scale enterprises.
“The MSMEs beneficiaries should commit to the principle of decent jobs. A joint visit will be made to the refineries to ascertain their rehabilitation status. All parties commit to abide by the dictates of social dialogue in all our future engagements.
“The NLC and TUC accept to suspend for 30 days the planned indefinite nationwide strike scheduled to begin on Tuesday, October 3, 2023.
“This memorandum shall be filed with the relevant court of competent jurisdiction within one (1) week as a consent judgment by the Federal Government.”
The MoU was signed by Comrade Joe Ajaero, President NLC; Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, NLC General Secretary; Comrade (Engr) Festus Osifo, TUC President; and Comrade Nuhu A. Toro Toro, Secretary General.
On the side of the Federal Government were H.E. Simon Bako Lalong, Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Hon. Dr. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Honourable Minister of State for Labour and Employment,
Mallam Mohammed Idris, Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation
