Organised labour under the aegis of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), have suspended the planned nationwide strike scheduled for Tuesday, October 3.
Director General of the National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NTGTEA), disclosed this in a statement signed on Monday evening, by the General Secretary of the Union, Ali Baba.
The statement titled, “SUSPENSION OF INDUSTRIAL ACTION BY NIGERIA LABOUR CONGRESS (NLC)”, reads in part: “We refer to our earlier circular dated September 28, 2023, on the indefinite nationwide strike action as directed by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) effective Tuesday, 3rd October, 2023.
“We are pleased to inform you that the planned industrial action has been suspended by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) after its emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting today, Monday October 2nd, 2023.
“This follows the reported progress from the ongoing negotiation between the government and the organised Labour represented by the Ngeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress.
The NLC and the TUC, at a joint press conference held in Abuja on Tuesday, had declared an indefinite nationwide strike from October 3, following Federal Government’s failure to address the hardship inflicted on Nigerians by the removal of fuel subsidy.
The Unions and the Federal Government met on Sunday, October 1st at the State House in Abuja, where a number of concessions were made.
In a statement on Sunday, Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, said the “NLC and TUC will consider the offers by the Federal Government to suspend the planned strike to allow for further consultations on the implementation of the resolutions above.”
As part of the resolutions from the meeting, the Federal Government agreed that all treasury-paid workers should get an N35,000 provisional wage increment for the next six months.
In addition, Value-added Tax on diesel will be waived for the next 6 months while the Federal Government will fast-tract provision of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to ease public transportation difficulties associated with the removal of the PMS subsidy.
The Government also agreed to provide funds for micro and small-scale enterprises, as well as payment of N75,000 to 15 million households at N25,000 per month, for three months from October-December 2023.
The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the NLC and TUC, on Monday, held separate meetings to consider the offers before the rescheduled meeting.
At a meeting which ended on Monday night, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, labour and the Federal Government finally reached an agreement.
A memorandum of understanding signed by the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja; as well as the TUC President, Festus Osifo, and Secretary General, Nuhu Toro, agreed to suspend the planned nationwide strike for 30 days.
Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong; Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Dr Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; and Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, signed on behalf of the Federal Government.
