…Sets date to reconvene
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) late yesterday decided to suspend the strike that was supposed to take place on Wednesday.
The choice was made after a meeting between Federal Government and Organised Labour officials yesterday night at the Presidential Villa to discuss the withdrawal of fuel subsidies.
While revealing the outcome of the meeting to State House correspondents, Speaker of the House of Representatives and recently appointed Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila read a communique stating that the agreement reached between the NLC, TUC, and the team assembled by President Bola Tinubu to discuss the issues arising from the subsidy removal.
According to him, the Federal Government, the TUC and the NLC would establish a joint committee to review the proposal for any wage increase or award and establish a framework and timeline for implementation.
He said, “The Federal Government, the TUC and the NLC would 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 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”, he stated.
The communique said, consequently, the parties agreed that, “The NLC to suspend the notice of strike forthwith to enable further consultations”, adding that “The Labour Centres and the Federal Government to meet on June 19, 2023, to agree on an implementation framework”.
It was earlier reported yesterday that the National Industrial Court restrained the Organised Labour from embarking on any form of strike.
The TUC and the NLC were ordered by Justice O.Y. Anuwe to refrain from holding the scheduled nationwide strike on Wednesday pending the hearing and decision of the Motion of Notice dated June 5, 2023 after the court received an ex-parte application.
