The leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have suspended the indefinite strike earlier scheduled to commence on October 3, 2023 for 30 days
The suspension of strike is coming after the emergency meeting between the federal government and the Labour unions on Monday.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was reached between the Organised Labour and the Nigerian Government at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday night.
Key points of the MoU include: “The Federal Government’s commitment to a wage award of N35,000 for all Federal Government workers, starting from September, until a new national minimum wage is enacted
“The establishment of a minimum wage committee within one month from the date of the agreement.
“Suspension of Value Added Tax (VAT) collection on Diesel for six months, starting in October 2023.
“Allocation of N100 billion for the provision of high-capacity Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses for mass transit, along with CNG conversion kits and stations nationwide, aiming to commence by November.
“Implementation of various tax incentives for the private sector and the general public.”
Others include “commitment to resolve leadership crises within the NURTW (National Union of Road Transport Workers) and address issues regarding the purported proscription of RTEAN (Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria).
“Referral of the outstanding salaries and wages of tertiary education workers in federal-owned educational institutions to the Ministry of Labour and Employment for further engagement.
Payment of N25,000 per month for three months, starting in October 2023, to 15 million households, including vulnerable pensioners.
“Expansion of initiatives for the subsidized distribution of fertilizers to farmers nationwide.
“Encouragement of state governments, local governments, and the private sector to implement wage awards for their workers.
“Commitment to provide funds for Micro and Small Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) and a focus on creating decent jobs.
“A joint visitation to the refineries to assess their rehabilitation status.
Also there was a commitment by all parties to follow the principles of social dialogue in future engagements.”
The MoU will be filed with the relevant Court of competent jurisdiction as a consent judgment by the Federal Government within one week.
The MoU was signed by NLC president, Joe Ajaero, general secretary of NLC, Emmanuel Ugboaja, President and Secretary of TUC, Festus Osifo, and Nuhu A. Toro, respectively on the part of Organised Labour.
On the federal government’s side was the minister of Labour, Simon Lalong, minister of State for Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, and minister of Information, Mohammed Idris.
Also, in a statement issued on Monday night, President-General of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Prince Adewale Adeyanju, said an agreement had been reached with government and the strike would no longer hold.
Consequently, the union directed their members to resume work at the nation’s seaports and oil and gas platform
He said during an emergency meeting between the federal government and labour leaders, the NLC and TUC jointly agreed to suspend the strike to allow for implementation of their demands.
According to Adeyanju, the National Executive Council (NEC) of the NLC had directed that all its affiliate members should direct their members to return to work.
The statement reads: “The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have jointly suspend the indefinite strike billed for October 3, 2023 following the removal of fuel subsidy.
“It would be recalled that the Nigeria Labour Congress had directed its affiliate member Unions across the country to mobilize and shut down the country following the refusal of government to adhere to the seven points demand made by the NLC and the TUC to ameliorate the suffering of the teeming Nigerian Workers and the impoverished masses of the country.
“The President-General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) Comrade (Prince) Dr. Adewale Adeyanju, in the same vein equally ordered that all the nation’s Seaports, Jetties, Oil & Gas platforms and Terminals be shut down accordingly for operations.
“But after the outcome of emergency meeting summoned today, October 2, 2023, between the federal government and labour leaders was held, the NLC and TUC had jointly agreed to suspend the strike to allow for implementation of the NLC demands. Consequently, the National Executive Council (NEC) of the NLC had directed that all its affiliate members should direct their members to return to work tomorrow, October 3, 2023 as the planned indefinite strike has been suspended.
“Comrade Adeyanju, the Deputy President of the Nigeria Labour Congress had equally directed that all members of the Maritime sector should resume work tomorrow as instructed by the Nigeria Labour Congress.”
