There seems to be a respite on Monday night for the government as the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress suspended their planned strike fixed for Wednesday over the removal of petrol subsidy.
This was made known in a communique issued after leaders of both unions had a meeting with representatives of the Federal Government at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
It was preceded by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria given an interim order restraining both labour unions from embarking on strike.
NOTM online reports that the communique was signed by TUC President, 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.
Gbajabiamila, who led government officials to the meeting explained that said seven resolutions were reached to address the situation.
The communique:
The communique states, “Following the engagements between the Federal Government, TUC and the NLC, with the intervention of the Speaker, House of Representatives to resolve the disputes that arose from the withdrawal of subsidy on PMS, the following resolutions were reached:
“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 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 many well meaning Nigerians including the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu have called on the NLC and the TUC to shun strike and embrace dialogue to resolve the fuel subsidy removal issue.
