The Federal Government of Nigeria met with organized labor on Monday to discuss post-subsidy removal palliatives for employees, in an effort to dissuade the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) from going on indefinite strike.
On September 1, the NLC issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government over the delay in the distribution of palliatives, threatening to launch an indefinite labor strike if its demands were not met.
The NLC also called for a two-day warning strike on September 5 and 6, disrupting social and economic activity in numerous states, with banks, ministries, agencies, and departments closed to the public in various areas.
According to the NLC leadership, the action was taken in preparation for a total economic shutdown, which would begin on Friday when the ultimatum expired.
Wage awards, palliatives, tax exemptions and allowances for public sector workers, and a revision of the minimum wage were among the requests made by the NLC and the Trade Union Congress.
Despite the FG’s vow to reorganize the mechanism for engaging with organized labor on palliatives, the eight-week timetable set for the process’s completion expired in August with no progress taken.
The conference, which was convened by Labour Minister Simon Lalong in Abuja on Monday to avoid the scheduled strike, ended in a deadlock.
At the conclusion of the conference on Monday, both parties committed to finding solutions to the primary requests put forward by organized labor before the deadline.
Lalong stated that several of Labour’s proposals were still being considered prior to the final agreement.
The Minister stated, “Our meeting was very robust. It was a fruitful meeting. Many of the items presented by labor are still under consideration before the final agreement or discussions.
“It was a fruitful meeting. I thank the NLC for coming to the meeting and for their very useful contributions.”
The NLC’s President, Joe Ajaero, regarded the discussion as constructive as well but stated that only the Presidency could make judgments on the demands submitted to the Government.
Ajaero stated that organized labor was willing to meet with the government at any time of day to find solutions to its demands and avoid the planned strike.
The NLC president said, “Like the minister said we had a fruitful deliberation and we have agreed to continue to make sure we arrive at a meaningful agreement within the remaining days of the ultimatum.
“We equally discussed frankly the issue bordering the coup floated and executed by the Nigeria Police against the National Union of Road Transport Workers which has led to the detention of their democratically elected national officers and both parties agreed to show concern towards the resolution of the matter.
‘’It is one sore area that the trade union movement in Nigeria is not ready to compromise. Whether a coup in the trade union movement or in the polity. It must be condemned; whether it is in Niger Republic, Congo, or Mali, or in the trade union movement in Nigeria.
“On the other issue, you can see that there is no agreement or implementation on any. There is no CNG anywhere. Refineries are not working. No agreement on wage awards. Those are the issues we believe that something will happen before the ultimatum expires. It is possible that something will happen.’’
He further explained, “We had a convivial deliberation with the Minister and we hope that even if it is remaining one day, we will get to the root of all these problems. Whenever we are invited, we will be there. Both parties will work towards the realization of these objectives before the last minute of the ultimatum.
“There is a larger committee that has set up technical committees. The ministry has performed its role to mediate and conciliate the problem between us and the Federal Government. There is an inter-ministerial committee at the Presidency level which is supposed to address these issues.
“The Ministry of Labour can’t address wage awards, the issue of CNG, refineries, and others. The ministry has mediated to ensure that there is no problem or get both parties to resolve these issues. We are ready to engage the government whether in the night or day; we are ready to engage but not at gunpoint.”
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