As the countdown to an indefinite strike scheduled to begin on October 3rd continues, the government is actively working to find a resolution. A crucial meeting with organized labor on Sunday has raised hopes that the impending strike could be averted.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mallam Mohammed Idris, made it clear that both the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) will carefully evaluate the government’s proposals.
These proposals encompass a N35,000 pay increase for all “treasury-paid” federal workers, a move aimed at alleviating the consequences of the fuel subsidy removal.
President Bola Tinubu had previously announced a N25,000 pay increase, specifically indicating that it would apply exclusively to “low-grade” workers, as a measure to mitigate the effects of the subsidy removal.
In response to the government’s initiatives, organized labor, represented by the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, had jointly declared an indefinite strike, set to commence on October 3rd.
Their central objective is to exert pressure on the government, citing what they perceive as an inadequate response to the challenges faced by Nigerians due to the fuel subsidy removal and a lack of initiative.
In anticipation of the looming strike, the government engaged in extensive negotiations with labor unions in Abuja on Sunday. Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila led the meeting, with the participation of Governor of Kwara State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Abdulrazak Abdulrahman, and Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State.
The government expressed hope that organized labor would consider suspending the strike, as it announced a provisional wage award of N35,000 for all treasury-paid federal government workers for six months.
“Federal Government has announced N35,000 only as provisional wage award for all treasury-paid federal government workers for six months following further consultation with President Bola Tinubu.”
During the meeting, the government reaffirmed its commitment to expedite the provision of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses, aimed at alleviating transportation challenges arising from the subsidy removal.
“The Federal Government commits to the provision of funds for micro and small-scale enterprises. VAT on diesel will be waived for the next 6 months.
“The Federal Government will commence payment of N75,000 to 15 million households at N25,000 per month, for a three-month period from October-December 2023,” the Information Minister stated in the statement.
The government urged labor unions not to proceed with their planned strike, emphasizing that the contentious issues could be more effectively resolved when workers are actively engaged in their duties.
He said that labour unions made a case for higher wage awards during the meeting.
The statement partly read:
“A sub-committee to be constituted to work out the details of implementation of all items regarding government interventions to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.
“The lingering matter of Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) and National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Lagos State needs to be addressed urgently.
“NLC and TUC will consider the offers by the Federal Government with a view to suspending the planned strike to allow for further consultations on the implementation of the resolutions above.”
The labor delegation, led by NLC President Joe Ajaero and TUC Deputy President Dr. Tommy Etim Okon, was accompanied by other prominent labor leaders. Key government officials from various ministries and departments were also in attendance during the meeting.
| Sahara Reporters
