FG’s anti-poor policies: NLC mobilses for nationwide indefinite strike from Aug. 2

Barely a month after it suspended a planned June 7 nationwide industrial action over hike in pump price of petrol, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has began mobilizing its members for an indefinite strike over unmet demands tabled before the Federal Government.

Last June 5, barely hours after the National Industrial Court (NIJ) in Abuja had restrained them from embarking on a planned nationwide industrial action billed to commence, Wednesday, June 7, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) announced suspending their strike action declared in protest over Federal Government’s ‘unilateral’ removal of the petrol subsidy regime.

Rising from a late meeting with the Organised Labour, Federal Government confirmed reaching agreement with the labour unions with resolutions which also includes suspending the planned nationwide industrial action.

The meeting which ended past 10pm also saw parties reach resolutions including the review and establishment of the framework for completion of the rehabilitation of the nation’s refineries, as well as, the setting up of a joint committee comprising Federal Government, TUC and the NLC ‘to review the proposal for any wage increase or award and establish a framework and timeline for implementation.’

The Monday night, June 5 meeting had in attendance the NLC President, Joe Ajaero and his Decretary General, Emmanuel Ugboaja; the TUC President, Festus Osifo, and Secretary General, Nuhu Toro, on the side of labour; While, Ms Kachollom S. Daju, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, as well as, Speaker, House of Representatives, former NLC president and now senator, Adams Oshiomhole, in addition to Mr Festus Keyamo, the former Minister of State for Labour and employment, as part of the Federal Government team.

Details of the agreement reached between Organised Labour and the Federal Government were also captured in a communiqué issued and signed by the NLC and TUC leaderships, immediately after the meeting.

“Following the engagements between the Federal Government, TUC and the NLC with the intervention of the Speaker, House of Representatives to resolve the disputes that arose from the withdrawal of subsidy on PMS, the following resolutions were reached:

“1, The Federal Government, the TUC, and the NLC to establish a joint committee to review the proposal for any wage increase or award and establish a framework and timeline for implementation.

“2, The Federal Government , the TUC and the NLC to review World Bank Financed Cash transfer scheme and propose inclusion of low income earners in the program.

“3, The Federal Government, the TUC, and the NLC to revive the CNG conversion program earlier agreed with Labour centres in 2021 and work out detailed implementation and timing.

“4, The Labour centres and the Federal Government to review issues hindering effective delivery in the education sector and propose solutions for implementation.

“5, The Labour centres and the Federal Government to review and establish the framework for completion of the rehabilitation of the nation’s refineries.

“6, The Federal Government to provide a framework for the maintenance of roads and expansion of railway networks across the country.

“7, All other demands submitted by the TUC to the Federal Government will be assessed by the joint committee.

“Consequently, the parties agreed follows:

“A. The NLC to suspend the notice of strike forthwith to enable further consultations

“B. The TUC and NLC to continue the ongoing engagements with the Federal Government and secure closure on the resolutions above.

“C. The Labour Centres and the Federal Government to meet on June 19, 2023 to agree on an implementation framework,” the agreement read.

NLC and its sister labour group, the TUC had declared a nationwide industrial action in protest against the decision by the Federal Government of President Bola Tinubu to remove subsidy on imported premium motor spirit (PMS).

 NLC and TUC in their statements had condemned the unilateral action taken by the Tinubu in scrapping the petrol subsidy regime without consultation with relevant bodies and without palliatives in place to reduce the hardship which the decision would cause to Nigerian workers.

This is further as the TUC called for an increase in the minimum wage of workers as a way to ameliorate the hardship.

However, just a month after that industrial ceasefire with the Federal Government, the NLC has began mobilizing its affiliate members on plans for an indefinite nationwide strike.

The labour group, Wednesday, gave the Federal Government seven days within which to reverse its anti-poor policies or face an indefinite nationwide strike come August 2.

Topmost on the list of anti-people policies, according to the labour group, is the recent hike in the pump price of petrol impoverishing the people across the length and breadth of the nation.

Towards this end, the NLC has directed all its affiliates and state councils to immediately begin mobilisation of workers and other Nigerians, including civil society allies, for a long-lasting strike and mass protests should the government fail to meet its demands.