Organised Labour in Nigeria Suspends Planned Indefinite Strike

Abuja, NIGERIA — The Federal Government and Organised Labour have reached a tailored agreement, leading to the suspension of planned nationwide indefinite strike.

The organised labour had earlier directed its members to embark on strike starting from the 3rd of October, following the failure of the Federal Government to attend to their demands.

The labour unions had lamented over the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy on Nigerians.

But at a closed-door meeting in the Presidential Villa Abuja on Monday, with leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), the Federal Government reached the agreements that averted the planed strike.

The agreement reads, “The Federal Government grants 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.

“A minimum wage committee shall be inaugurated within one month from the date of this agreement.

“Federal Government suspends collection of Value Added Tax (VAT) on Diesel for six months beginning from October 2023.

“Federal Government accepts to vote N100 billion for the provision of high capacity CNG buses for mass transit in Nigeria. Provisions are also being made for 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. The rollout aims to commence by November with pilots across 10 campuses nationwide.

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

“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 the 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 the State Government through the National Economic Council and Governors Forum to implement wage awards 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.