TThe Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) together with the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Sunday, October 1, 2023, in a meeting chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President,  Femi Gbajabiamila, has stated that they will consider the offer by the Federal Government (FG) to suspend the planned strike to allow further consultations on the implementation of the resolutions made.

The resolutions contained in a Press statement signed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mallam Mohammed Idris highlighted measures to address the dispute arising from the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

According to the statement, the Federal Government urges the Labour Unions led by the NLC President, Joe Ajaero to suspend the strike as the dispute can only be settled when the workers are at their respective workspaces.

Following the discussion highlights, the Trade Unions have put together a case point for a higher wage award; ensuring that a sub-committee to work out the details of all government Intervention items to create a buffer for the effect of the subsidy removal be set up.

Reiterating the earlier set stands, it is noted that the Federal Government will commence payment of N75,000 to 15 million households at N25,000 per month, for three months from October-December 2023.

In the same development, the Federal Government announced N35,000 only as a provisional wage award for all treasury-paid Federal Government workers for six months following further consultation with President Bola Tinubu.

The parties further highlight that the Value Added Tax (VAT) on diesel will be waived for the next 6 months as the FG commits to the provision of funds for micro and small-scale enterprises.

The Federal Government has future noted that they are committed to fast-tracking the provision of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to ease public transportation difficulties associated with the removal of PMS subsidy.

However, the Unions express that the lingering matter of the Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN)  and National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Lagos State is to be addressed with urgency.

Concluding the meeting with the Federal Government, the Labour delegation leaders – the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, Deputy President, TUC, Dr Tommy Etim Okon, NLC General Secretary, Emma Ugboaja, and TUC General Secretary, Nuhu Toro decided to suspend the strike and look into further consultations.

“Also present at the meeting were the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong; the Minister of State, Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.

“The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar  Atiku Bagudu; the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu; the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite; the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

Although the Governor of Kwara State and Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), Abdulrazak Abdulrahman and Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, were virtually present in the meeting.

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