OSAS EMMANUEL
ABUJA, Nigeria – Indications are rife that the proposed nationwide indefinite strike announced by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), would be called off on Monday after meeting with their organs to intimate them on the government offers.
The Federal Government delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Sunday, met with the organised labour involving the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and Trade Union Congress (TUC), at the Presidential Villa.
The meeting, which commenced around 3 p.m., and lasted over four hours, was to address the dispute arising from the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
Addressing State House Correspondents, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, said that after hours of deliberations, some agreements were reached.
This is as he expressed optimism that the labour would call off the strike after meeting with their organs.
He said that both the NLC, TUC, and the federal government have reached agreements on several items including; agreements on wage bill, agreements on committees on salary increment, CNG buses, on several other things.
“We’ve been at a closed door meeting with the labour and government side since three o’clock. So, it’s been about a four hour meeting.
“A lot of issues were addressed. Issues that concern the Nigerian worker, the average Nigerian worker. I can’t begin to reel them out here. But I am happy to say that after four hours, we have reached certain agreements that are for the benefit of the Nigerian worker.
“Agreements on wage bill, agreements on committees on salary increment, CNG buses, on several other things, I believe, both TUC Labour and government side?
Hopefully, we expect that Labour will call a meeting of their various branches and executive tomorrow to do present the agreements that have been reached, and we pray and we believe and we hope that the strike will be called off on Tuesday.”
Speaking further, Gbajabiamila explained that the proposed provisional wage increment would be paid across board to all the workers and not only to low-income workers as earlier announced.
“There was a lot of chatter on Twitter about the issue of low-income workers only falling into the category of the wage bill. They spotted that, and we communicated that to Mr. President, and he quickly said and agreed that all categories of workers would be given the wage bill. There’s nothing like low-income, mid-income, or high-income. I think that’s worthy of clarification tonight.” Gbajabiamila said.
President Tinubu, in his Independence Day Broadcast, had announced N25,000 Provisional Wage Increment for an average low-grade worker.
“My government is doing all that it can to ease the load. I will now outline the path we are taking to relieve the stress on our families and households.
“We have embarked on several public sector reforms to stabilise the economy, direct fiscal and monetary policy to fight inflation, encourage production, ensure the security of lives and property and lend more support to the poor and the vulnerable.
“Based on our talks with labour, business and other stakeholders, we are introducing a provisional wage increment to enhance the federal minimum wage without causing undue inflation. For the next six months, the average low-grade worker shall receive an additional Twenty-Five Thousand naira per month.
“To ensure better grassroots development, we set up an Infrastructure Support Fund for states to invest in critical areas. States have already received funds to provide relief packages against the impact of rising food and other prices.
“Making the economy more robust by lowering transport costs will be key. In this regard, we have opened a new chapter in public transportation through the deployment of cheaper, safer Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses across the nation. These buses will operate at a fraction of current fuel prices, positively affecting transport fares.
“New CNG conversions kits will start coming in very soon as all hands are on deck to fast track the usually lengthy procurement process. We are also setting up training facilities and workshops across the nation to train and provide new opportunities for transport operators and entrepreneurs. This is a groundbreaking moment where, as a nation, we embrace more efficient means to power our economy. In making this change, we also make history,” Tinubu noted in his Independence Day Broadcast to Nigerians.
In his response, the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, said all the government offers would be taken back to its organs for consideration whether to embark on the proposed strike or to call it off.
“I don’t have much to say than the Chief of Staff has said. We’ve been meeting, and we’ve looked at almost all the issues, all the promissory notes from the government, and we’ll look at how to translate them to reality and to be workable.
“Then we’re going to take those promises to our organs. Of course, you know these people here can not just wake up and review and call off action.
“So, like he said, we’re hopeful that our organs will have a look at them and give us a fresh mandate on what next to do. So it’s a simple one.” Ajaero said.
On his part, the acting TUC President, Tommy Okon, said “Let me on behalf of the TUC also point out to the fact that we’ve had series of conversations surrounding the issue raised and we do hope that by tomorrow we are going to get across to our organs so that we can also look at it and cross-fertilise ideas and see the way forward. I’m sure we’re coming back again tomorrow for that.”
Some of the issues discussed at the meeting include N25,000 provisional wage increment for all treasury-paid Federal Government workers for six months.
The Federal Government’s commitment to fast-tracking the provision of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to ease public transportation difficulties associated with the removal of PMS subsidy.
The Federal Government’s commitment to the provision of funds for micro and small-scale enterprises.
Six months waiver of Value Added Tax (VAT) on diesel.
The Federal Government commencement of N75,000 payment to 15 million households at N25,000 per month, for a three-month period from October to December, 2023.
