Following its meeting with government officials on Monday, June 5, 2023, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) would no longer go ahead with its statewide strike.
On Wednesday, June 7, 2023, the union had threatened to go on a statewide strike in protest of the removal of fuel subsidies, which would have resulted in a rise in the price of gasoline from N185 to N488.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had earlier been commanded by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria in Abuja to cease their scheduled strike.
However, following a six-hour meeting on Monday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja between the Federal Government and organized labor, the union decided to call off its strike.
The FG and the union decided during the meeting that “The NLC will suspend the strike notice immediately to allow for additional consultations.
“The TUC and the NLC to maintain continued discussions with the Federal Government to bring the resolutions to a successful conclusion.
On June 19, 2023, the Federal Government and the labor centers will meet to discuss a framework for implementation.
Femi Gbajabiamila, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, has stated that the FG, TUC, and NLC will form a joint committee to assess any proposed pay rise to lessen the impact of the elimination of fuel subsidies on Nigerians.
A plan by the government and the unions to assess the $800 million World Bank-financed Cash transfer program and make proposals is also included in the meeting’s decision.
The government and the unions agreed to study the $800 million World Bank-financed Cash Transfer program and recommend including low-income people in the program, according to the meeting’s decision.
The committee will also examine problems that prevent the education sector from providing services effectively, the completion of the nation’s refineries’ renovation, and the upkeep of roads and the growth of rail networks throughout the nation.
“All other demands submitted by the TUC to the Federal Government will be evaluated by the joint committee,” Gbajabiamila added.
The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, stated in a statement following the meeting, “These are the guidelines for us to adhere to in order to carry out some of the agreements achieved here.
“You can see that not is yet in concrete terms. So, at the adjourned date, we will go into more specifics to make sure this knotty issue is resolved.”
On his part, President of TUC, Festus Osifo while confirming the suspension of the strike urged the government to take the resolutions seriously.
