Breakdown of FG’s Meeting with NLC, TUC: What You Need to Know.
On Sunday, the Federal Government held a meeting with representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to discuss the impending indefinite strike scheduled to begin on October 3. This pivotal meeting has shown signs of a potential suspension of the impending strike, as both sides engaged in constructive negotiations.
The gathering, led by President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, on behalf of the Federal Government, and NLC President Mr. Joe Ajaero, representing the organized labor, produced several agreements aimed at addressing the ongoing dispute stemming from the removal of fuel subsidy.
According to Chief of Staff Gbajabiamila, the Federal Government has committed to implementing measures designed to tackle the issues at hand. Following the meeting, NLC President Joe Ajaero pledged to convene with the union’s members to consider the proposals put forth by the government, raising hopes for a suspension of the planned strike.
A statement from the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mallam Mohammed Idris, outlined key agreements reached during the meeting:
A provisional wage increment of N25,000 for all treasury-paid federal government workers for a period of six months.
Commitment to expedite the provision of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to alleviate public transportation challenges stemming from the removal of petrol subsidy.
The Federal Government’s pledge to allocate funds for micro and small-scale enterprises.
An exemption of Value Added Tax (VAT) on diesel for the next six months.
Commencement of payments totaling N75,000 to 15 million households at a rate of N25,000 per month, spanning three months from October to December 2023.
The statement further emphasized that both the Federal Government and organized labor recognized that resolving the ongoing disputes is most effective when workers remain on the job rather than engaging in strikes. Consequently, the government’s team promised to present labor’s wage increase request to President Bola Tinubu for further consideration.
To oversee the implementation of these agreements, a sub-committee will be established, addressing government interventions aimed at mitigating the effects of fuel subsidy removal.
Additionally, the long-standing issue involving the Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Lagos State was addressed during the meeting. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, participating virtually, pledged his commitment to resolve this matter urgently.
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