The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has opted out of the nationwide warning strike, which was set to begin on Tuesday. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had already issued a two-day warning strike in a statement signed by its National President, Joe Ajaero, and Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja.
Festus Osifo, President of the TUC, advised the NLC to deepen discussion with the government, which it has done.
After meeting with Labour Minister Simon Lalong, Osifo stated, “As of today, the need to embark on a nationwide strike has not arisen; therefore, the leadership of Congress should intensify the conversation with the government so that all grey areas identified can be ironed out within the time frame given.”
Following the warning strike, the NLC announced a three-week general strike in protest. The labor union will be protesting the rising cost of living as a result of the termination of the government’s petrol subsidy, which costs the government roughly $10 billion each year.
Unions went on strike a month ago but paused their action after the government offered discussions, but the talks did not result in concessions adequate to appease organized labor.
Union leader Joe Ajaero said, “The federal government has refused to engage and reach an agreement with organized labor on the critical issues of the consequences of the unfortunate hike in the price of petrol which has unleashed massive suffering on Nigerian workers and masses.”
On Monday, the NLC rejected discussions with the new labor minister, Simon Lalong, and announced a warning strike in preparation for a “total and indefinite shutdown of the nation” later in the month.
Ajaero stressed that the strike can only be avoided if the government takes steps to address the “excruciating mass suffering and impoverishment being experienced throughout the country.”
Lalong urged the NLC to call off the strike, claiming that such action would jeopardize the government’s goals.
The Minister said, “It has become pertinent to appeal to the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to suspend its intended two-day warning strike, as such action would be detrimental to the gains already being recorded on our course to securing a greater future of Nigerian workers and citizens at large.
“It should be realized that the cabinet of this administration was only recently sworn in by Mr. President and all cabinet members have hit the ground running by receiving briefings from their MDAs.
“Therefore, the issues raised by the leadership of the NLC are some issues that I and the Hon. Minister of State for Labour and Employment are being briefed upon. In the next few weeks, we intend to address them holistically.
“Consequently, I use this opportunity to reassure Nigerian workers that this government would never take them for granted nor fail to appreciate their support and understanding.
“We shall continue to pursue policies aimed at massive employment generation in all sectors of the economy as well as look into immediate challenges that have emerged from the policies of the government. We cannot do this in an atmosphere devoid of industrial peace.”
Meanwhile, Lalong stated that his ministry had not received the appropriate notification regarding the planned strike.
During the discussion between the minister and the TUC, Osifo stated that some of the topics that needed immediate attention included the execution of palliatives and pay awards.
Others, he said, include tax breaks and incentives for public sector employees, mechanisms for N70 billion in Small and Medium Enterprises, and the RTEAN situation.
“In the palliatives that have been rolled out, we have not seen anything put in place for federal workers.
“We require a wage award. The government’s palliatives aren’t very comprehensive. We believe the government can do a lot more.”
He also stated that the TUC leadership would continue to engage with the federal government in order to ensure that its objectives were met.
The NLC declined to attend a last-minute reconciliatory conference called by the Minister in an attempt to avert the Labour union’s two-day warning strike.
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