News

Breaking: NLC, TUC, Suspend Nationwide Strike

By Web News 308

The organised labour comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), on Tuesday, suspended their ongoing strike for five days.
A labour leader, who disclosed this to newsmen, said the unions are expected to issue a statement shortly before the commencement of negotiations with the government.

The strike, which commenced on Monday, was called to protest the failure of the Federal Government to approve new minimum wage by May 31, as well as its failure to reverse the hike in electricity tariff.
The leadership of the organised labour met government representatives on Monday night, and the Federal Government expressed the commitment of President Bola Tinubu to raise the N60,000 offered as the minimum wage.

The agreement stated, “The President of Nigeria, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, is committed to establishing a National Minimum Wage higher than N60,000; and the Tripartite Committee will convene daily for the next week to finalise an agreeable National Minimum Wage.”

The organised labour also agreed to “immediately hold meetings of its organs to consider this new offer, and no worker would face victimisation as a consequence of participating in the industrial action.”
The organised labour also agreed to “immediately hold meetings of its organs to consider this new offer, and no worker would face victimisation as a consequence of participating in the industrial action.”

These resolutions were signed on behalf of the Federal Government by Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, and Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha
Newspeak/Punch/Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

Labour

Nationwide Strike: Enugu Workers Defy Order

By Web News 355

Despite the directive issued to workers by the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and Trade Union Congress, TUC,  to embark on a nationwide strike on Tuesday, workers in Enugu State have shunned the strike.

Reports have it that the strike is largely not observed in the state.

Speaking in an interview with journalists about the strike, the Enugu State Chairman of NLC, Fabian Nwigbo said the NLC was working on how to mobilise for the strike.

“We are at a meeting and I am trying to prepare a letter to mobilise the workers for the strike. You know the order is coming from the national Secretariat,” he said.

However, newsmen who went to some areas in Enugu observed that banks were rendering services to their customers.

It was also observed that workers of some government agencies came to work early in the morning.

At the Government Revenue Office along Zik Avenue, it was observed that workers were in their various offices while a bank along Agbani Road was also rendering services to their customers.

Similarly, both private and government schools also failed to observe the strike as teachers were teaching their students and pupils in their various schools.

A civil servant who spoke on condition of anonymity blamed the leadership of both NLC and TUC for the non-compliance, saying they failed to act.

It was also observed that there were heavy vehicular activities on the major roads while the markets were open for businesses.

Punch/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

Telegram and YouTube Channels and also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Labour

NLC, TUC Begin Nationwide Indefinite Strike Oct 3

By Web News 563

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, declared indefinite strike starting from October 3 in forcing the federal government to address the hardship across the country, due to the removal of fuel subsidy.

The resolution came, despite promises by the federal government to conclude wage award, which was a major demand by the labour leaders, to the two labour centres.
In a joint communiqué after both Labour centres held separate emergency National Executive Council, NEC, meetings, leaders of the two bodies urged Nigerians to brace up for a long strike and use between this week and next Monday to stockpile foodstuff and other necessities.

Though the Trade Union Congress, TUC, did not participate in the two-day warning strike embarked upon by the NLC two weeks ago, it has, however, resolved to team up with the NLC on the indefinite strike.

The communiqué, jointly read by NLC and TUC Presidents, Joe Ajaero and Festus Osifo, respectively, at the Labour House, Abuja, directed state councils and affiliates of the two centres to step up mobilization of members and allies for total strike.

They said the indefinite strike is a result of the perceived insensitivity of government to the plights of workers and other Nigerians, following the petrol subsidy removal and continuous demonstration of unwillingness and complete lack of initiative to address the fall-outs of the removal and other harsh economic policies.

According to the communiqué: “NLC and TUC in their various meetings deeply analyzed the current situation in the country, taking into cognizance the extensive hardships and deprivation afflicting our citizens across all states of the federation and unanimously condemned the apparent conscious lethargy and tardiness in handling the consequences of its Petrol Price hike on Nigerians.

 “The councils deliberated on the continued refusal of the Federal Government to engage in a meaningful and constructive dialogue within the ambit of good faith given the 21 days ultimatum and the subsequent successful two-day nationwide warning strike of the 5th and 6th of September and other meetings that were supposed to demonstrate the preparedness of Nigerian workers to push through their decision to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike if their demands were not met.”

The communiqué explained that “the NLC and TUC NEC-in-session observed that there is no disagreement between labour and government on the existence of massive suffering, impoverishment and hunger in the country as a result of the hike in the price of petrol which demands an urgent need for remedial action.

Vanguard/Taiwo Akinola

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels also join our Whatsapp Update Group