- Pix above: PBAT’s FG and Organised Labour
After their meeting yesterday with the Federal Government during which they were pacified to reach agreement with government to suspend their imminent strike, the Organised Labour declared they needed to get back to their various organs for ratification of the agreement and get back to the government today.
Now, the Federal Government and the organised Labour are currently in a meeting, just hours ahead of the workers’ planned nationwide strike from tomorrow.
The State Online reports that the meeting, which is a follow-up on the one held on Sunday, October 1, is meant to indicate Organised Labour’s final decision on the government’s offers presented at the previous day’s engagement….after meeting with their various organs.
The agreement at the meeting include:
* N35,000 provisional wage award for all categories of federal workers
*freezing of VAT payment on diesel for six months; and
* N25,000 each to 15 million households for three months (October to December).
A statement issued by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris explained that some of the resolutions reached at the Sunday meeting were that, “the issues in dispute can only be resolved when workers are at work and not when they are on strike.
“Labour Unions argued for higher wage awards and the Federal Government Team promised to present Labour’s request to President Bola Tinubu for further consideration.
In a statement after the parley, Information and National Orientation Minister, Mohammed Idris, provided more details of the agreements and resolutions reached by both sides.
Idris said: “The parties noted the following: The Federal Government has announced N25,000 only (later adjusted to N35,000) as provisional wage increment for all treasury-paid federal government workers for six months.
“The Federal Government is committed 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 commits to the provision of funds for micro and small-scale enterprises. VAT on diesel will be waived for the next six 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.”
He added that following discussions at the meeting, resolutions were reached, which included facts that “the issues in dispute can only be resolved when workers are at work and not when they are on strike.
“Labour unions argued for higher wage award and the Federal Government team promised to present their request to President Bola Tinubu for further consideration.
“A sub-committee to be constituted to work out the details of implementation of all items for consideration, regarding government interventions to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.
“The lingering matter of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) and National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Lagos State needs to be addressed urgently and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who participated virtually, pledged to resolve the matter.
“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 statement said.
NLC President Joe Ajaero and the acting President of the TUC, Tommy Etim Okon, however said a decision to rescind the strike plans would be made after meetings with their various organs.
They both expressed hope that a resolution would be reached, following the meetings and promises from government.SHARE THIS
…Details shortly
- Tags: PBAT, NLC, TUC, Indefinite strike