Labour Shelves Strike, Gives Conditions

Two major Nigerian Labour Unions have suspended the nationwide strike they were to commence on Tuesday to pressure the government to address the hardships occasioned by the removal of subsidy on petrol.

Both the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), coalitions of various workers unions, have been battling the federal government over the fallout of the subsidy removal which President Bola Tinubu announced in his inauguration speech on 29 May.

Since the removal of the subsidy, the petrol pump price which was selling at less than N200 per litre has increased to over N600 per litre, leading to an increase in the cost of transportation, food and other basic needs and services which millions of Nigerians depend on.

The labour unions announced their decision to suspend their strike in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the representatives of the labour unions and the federal government late on Monday.

According to the MoU, the unions will now suspend their strike by 30 days, with parties to the agreement committing “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,” the MoU shared with Newsmen late Monday, read in part.

The MoU also stipulated that the document shall be filed in “relevant court of competent jurisdiction within one (1) week as consent judgment by the Federal Government.”

The document was signed by NLC representatives – its president, Joe Ajaero, and the secretary, Emmanuel Ughoaja – as well as TUC representatives – its president, Festus Usifo, and general secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja.

Officials who signed the agreement on behalf of the federal government are the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Bako Lalong; the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.

The MoU contains terms and conditions both sides had earlier agreed on.

Premium Times / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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