NLC, TUC Suspend Nationwide Strike

The organised labour has suspended its planned indefinite industrial action scheduled to begin today (Tuesday)

The suspension, which is for thirty days, is to compel the government to implement agreements reached between the unions.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had notified the government of their intention to embark on an indefinite strike if it failed to meet their demand for a salary award for workers and other interventions to cushion the hardship brought about by the removal of petrol subsidy.

At the signing of the agreements that made the unions to soften grounds, the Minister of Labour, Mr. Simon Lalong, said the government was appreciative of the unions’ considerations.

Signing the agreements, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, warned that the unions would embark on strike if the government reneged on its commitments.

While aligning with his counterpart, the President of the Trade Union Congress, Comrade Festus Osifo, expressed the hope that the government would be committed to the implementation of their agreements.

According to the documents signed, the government has agreed to implement the thirty-five thousand Naira salary award to federal civil servants from last month, September, pending when a new national minimum wage would be signed into law.

Consequently, it is agreed that a minimum wage committee shall be inaugurated within one month from the date of this agreement, while collection of Value Added Tax on Diesel is suspended for six months beginning from this month.

The government also accepted to vote one hundred billion Naira for the provision of high capacity CNG buses for mass transit in the country, while initial fifty-five thousand CNG conversion kits to kick start an auto gas conversion programme will be provided, commencing by November with pilots across ten campuses nationwide.

It says the government plans to implement various tax incentive measures for private sector and the general public.

On the leadership crises rocking the National Union Road Transport Workers and the purported proscription of Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria, the government has committed to handling Labour matters in line with relevant ILO Conventions and Nigerian Labour Acts, pointing out that resolution of the ongoing impasse is expected by or before October 13.

The meeting agreed that the outstanding salaries and wages of tertiary education workers in federal-owned educational institutions be referred to the Ministry of Labour and Employment for further engagement.

Summary of Memorandum of Understanding between NLC, TUC & FG 

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING REACHED BETWEEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA AND THE NIGERIA LABOUR CONGRESS (NLC) AND TRADE UNION CONGRESS OF NIGERIA (TUC) AS A RESULT OF DISPUTE ARISING FROM WITHDRAWAL OF SUBSIDY ON THE PRICE OF PREMIUM MOTOR SPIRIT (PMS) ON MONDAY, THE 2ND DAY OF OCTOBER, 2023

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 and after much discussion, the following agreements were reached:

1. 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.

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

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

4. 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 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.

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

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. The Federal Government commits to pay N25,000 per month for three months starting from October, 2023 to 15 million households, including vulnerable pensioners.

9. The Federal Government will increase its initiatives on subsidized distribution of fertilizers to farmers across the country.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. A joint visitation will be made to the refineries to ascertain their rehabilitation status.

13. All parties commit to henceforth abide by the dictates of Social dialogue in all our future engagements.

14. The NLC and TUC accept to suspend for 30 days the planned Indefinite Nationwide strike scheduled to begin, Tuesday, the 3rd of October, 2023.

15. This Memorandum shall be filed with the relevant Court of competent jurisdiction within one (1) week as consent judgment by the Federal Government.

Signed:
NLC:
Comrade Joe Ajaero Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, mni
President NLC General Secretary

TUC
Comrade (Engr) Festus Osifo Comrade Nuhu A. Toro
President Secretary General

Federal Government:
H.E. Simon Bako Lalong
Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment
Hon. Dr Nkeiruka Onyejeocha
Honourable Minister of State for Labour and Employment
Mallam Mohammed Idris
Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation