On Monday, the Nigerian Labour Congress verified that the nationwide strike scheduled for Wednesday will no longer occur.
The decision was part of resolutions announced by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, and confirmed by the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, following a nearly six-hour meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja between the Federal Government and organized labor.
Exactly one week ago, President Bola Tinubu announced the discontinuation of petroleum subsidy. Monday’s meeting is the third in a series of gatherings between the government and major labor stakeholders.
At the Monday meeting, the parties agreed that “The NLC will immediately suspend strike notice to allow for further consultations.”
"The TUC and the NLC shall maintain ongoing engagements with the Federal Government and bring resolutions to a close.
The labour centres and the federal government will convene on 19 June 2023 to agree on a framework for implementation.
Gbajabiamila also announced that the FG, TUC, and NLC will establish a joint committee to evaluate any wage increase or award proposal and establish a framework and implementation schedule.
In addition, the Federal Government, TUC, and NLC will review the $800 million World Bank-financed cash transfer program and propose the inclusion of low-income earners.
Monday’s resolution includes a review of the CNG conversion program previously agreed upon with labor centres for 2021, as well as the development of implementation and timing details.
The Labour centres and the Federal Government will also evaluate obstacles to effective delivery in the education sector and propose implementation solutions.
The labour centres and the federal government will review and establish the framework for completing the refineries’ rehabilitation.
This also includes a framework for the nationwide maintenance of roads and expansion of transport networks.
"All other demands submitted to the Federal Government by the TUC will be evaluated by the united
committee," said the Speaker.
The President of the NLC stated, “These are the guidelines we will follow in order to implement some of the agreements reached here.”
“It is evident that nothing is yet concrete. Therefore, at the adjourned date, we will go into greater detail to ensure that this thorny issue is resolved.”
When asked if the strike had been suspended, Ajaero responded, “I thought the speaker had read it.”
Festus Osifo, president of the TUC, stated that organized labor is committed to resolving the issues raised and alleviating the distress of vulnerable Nigerians as a result of the removal of subsidy.
He urged the FG, however, to consider the resolutions seriously.
Therefore, I want us to commit to resolving these issues as soon as feasible.
Osifo stated, “Therefore, we are fully committed to resolving these issues for the benefit of Nigerians.”
Adams Oshiomhole, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, the Honorable James Faleke, and Kacholom Daju, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, were present to represent the FG.
Later, Godwin Emefiele, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, and Festus Keyamo, former Minister of State for Labour and Employment, accompanied the government’s delegation.