*The Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress have agreed to suspend their planned national indefinite strike for 30 days, following further consultations and memorandum of understanding agreed with the Federal Government’s representatives late Monday, October 2, in Abuja

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

Sequel to the consideration of the Federal Government’s offer of N35,000 provisional wage for workers and further consultations with stakeholders, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have agreed to suspend their planned national indefinite strike for 30 days.

Recall the decision of the Organised Labour to activate the industrial action effective from Tuesday, October 3, 2023, earlier arose from the Nigerian Government’s withdrawal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, and the resultant increases in the prices of the commodity for consumers across the West African country.

绿帽献妻 reports聽 the Federal Government Sunday, October 1 had convened a meeting to avert the planned strike and after much discussion, the following 15-point agreements were reached, that the Federal Government grants a wage award of N35,000 only to all Federal Government workers, with effect from September this year, pending when a new National Minimum Wage is expected to have been signed into law.

The parties to the industrial dispute also agreed that Minimum Wage Committee should be inaugurated within a month from the date of the agreement.

Besides, the Federal Government has suspended collection of Value Added Tax (VAT) on Diesel for six months beginning from October, 2023.

The Federal Government as well accepted to vote N100 billion for the provision of high-capacity Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses for mass transit in Nigeria.

According to a statement issued Monday, October 2 after further consultations with the Labour leaders, the “provisions are also being made for initial 55,000 CNG conversion kits to kick start an auto gas conversion programme, whilst work is ongoing on state-of-the-art CNG stations nationwide.

“The rollout aims to commence by November with pilots across 10 campuses nationwide.”

The Government equally plans to implement various tax incentive measures for private sector and the general public.

On the leadership crises rocking the NURTW and the purported proscription of RTEAN, the Federal Government has expressed its commitment to handling Labour matters in line with relevant International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions and Nigerian Labour Acts.

“A resolution of the ongoing impasse is expected by or before October 13,” noted the statement.

The issue of outstanding Salaries and Wages of Tertiary Education workers in Federal-owned educational institutions is being referred to Ministry of Labour and Employment for further engagement.

The Federal Government commits to pay N25,000 per month for three months, starting from October, 2023, to 15 million households, including vulnerable pensioners.

The government, according to the MoU, will also increase its initiatives on subsidised distribution of fertilizers to farmers across the country.

It is agreed that the Federal Government should urge the State Governments through the National Economic Council (NEC) and Nigeria聽 Governors’ Forum (NGF) to implement wage award for their workers.

Similar consideration should also be given to local government and private sector workers.

The provision of funds, as announced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his August 1 broadcast to the country for Micro and Small Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) is equally noted in the agreement after the meeting.

The MoU further stated: “The MSMEs beneficiaries should commit to the principle of decent jobs.

“A joint visitation will be made to the refineries to ascertain their rehabilitation status.

“All parties commit to henceforth abide by the dictates of Social dialogue in all our future engagements.”

The MoU restated that “the NLC and TUC accept to suspend for 30 days the planned Indefinite nationwide strike scheduled to begin, Tuesday, the 3rd of October, 2023.

“This Memorandum shall be filed with the relevant Court of competent jurisdiction within one (1) week as consent judgment by the Federal Government.”

After the meeting Monday night, Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of NLC, and Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, mni, General Secretary, as well as Comrade (Engr.) Festus Osifo, President of TUC; and Comrade Nuhu A. Toro, Secretary-General inked the MoU on behalf of the Organised Labour.

Whereas H. E. Simon Bako Lalong, Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment; Hon. Dr. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Honourable Minister of State for Labour and Employment; and Malam Mohammed Idris, Honourable Minister for Information and National Orientation signed for the Federal Government of Nigeria.

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