By Augustine Aminu
The Organised Labour, comprising the Migeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have agreed to suspend their nationwide indefinite strike billed to commence today.
The decision to call of the planned mass action by Labour followed two days marathon engagements with the union leaders by the Federal Government negotiation team under the supervision of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja
A Memorandum of Understanding reached by the NLC, TUC and the Federal Government which announced the suspension of the strike was signed by the NLC President, Joe, Ajaero, TUC President Festus Osifo and the Minister of Labour, Simon Lalong among others.
Recall that, arising from the withdrawal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) by the Federal Government and the resultant increase in the price of the commodity, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) issued a strike notice which had elapsed and they were poised to embark on a strike billed to commence on Tuesday, the 3rd of October, 2023.
Consequently, a meeting was called by the Federal Government to avert the strike.
Decisions reached at the meeting included “a wage award of N35,000 (thirty-five thousand Naira) only to all Federal Government workers beginning from the month of September pending when a new national minimum wage is expected to have been signed into law; inauguration of a minimum wage committee within one month from the date of this agreement and suspension of collection of Value Added Tax (VAT) on Diesel for six months beginning from October, 2023.
According to the MoU, the Federal Government also accepted to vote N100 billion for the provision of high capacity CNG buses for mass transit in Nigeria as well as provide an 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, which rollout aims to commence by November with pilots across 10 campuses nationwide.
The Federal Government also planned to implement various tax incentive measures for private sector and the general public.
The MoU further read: “On the leadership crises rocking the NURTW and the purported proscription of RTEAN, the Federal Government commits to handling Labour matters in line with relevant ILO Conventions and Nigerian Labour Acts. A resolution of the ongoing impasse is expected by or before October 13.
“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 Federal Government will increase its initiatives on subsidized distribution of fertilizers to farmers across the country.
“The Federal Government should urge State Government through the National Economic Council and Governors Forum to implement wage award for their workers. Similar consideration should also be given to local government and private sector workers.
“The Federal Government commits to the provision of funds as announced by the President on the 1st of August broadcast to the Nation for Micro and Small Scale Enterprises. 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 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.: