…there’s no need for strike – TUC
OSAS EMMANUEL
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Federal Government has appealed to the organised labour to suspend its planned nationwide strike.
Making the appeal on behalf of the Federal Government, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, pleaded with organised labour to give the Federal Government some time to address their demands.
The organised labour under the auspices of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), had declared a two-day warning strike to which will commence Tuesday, September 5 through September 6, over the fuel subsidy removal without measures to cushion the effect.
Meanwhile, the leadership of NLC refused to honour the invitation by the Minister of Labour to the organised labour to continue on the dialogue in order to resolve the industrial impasse.
Only the leadership of TUC attended the meeting, which was scheduled to be held yesterday by 3 pm. at the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
Furthermore, the TUC has distanced itself from the proposed nationwide strike announced by its sister Union, the NLC.
This is as they believed that the current situation in the country does not call for a nationwide strike rather it begs for the Congress to intensify the conversation with government in order to address all issues identified within the time frame given.
The Minister of Labour, however, pleaded with the NLC to cooperate with the government and give it more time to resolve the disputed issues rather than going on strike and exacerbating the situation for the populace.
He said that the issues raised by the leadership of the NLC were some of the issues that he and the Minister of State for Labour and Employment were being briefed upon.
“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. In the next few weeks, we intend to address them holistically,” he said.
Going over some of the issues presented by the NLC, the minister said that the issue of subsidy removal was already being addressed as palliative measures were already being handled and implemented, beginning with the State and local governments.
He noted that in the course of the coming weeks, additional measures will be announced after consulting with the leadership of the organised labour and key stakeholders.
The minister assured that the issue of the review of minimum wage which was promised by the President will also receive attention so as to ensure that the Nigerian worker is not adversely affected by the challenges of the moment.
He also promised that the issue of the conflict between the police and the leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) would be looked into without delay.
“In line with the subsisting laws of the Federation and International Conventions that Nigeria is party to, I do not believe that this conflict is insurmountable.
“Without prejudice to the fact that the Nigeria Police as a frontline internal security agency has its role to play in civil and criminal matters, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has its role to play in resolving industrial relations matters. Therefore, we shall engage both parties in dialogue to find the way forward on this problem,” the minister stated.
On the matter between the organised labour with Imo and Abia State Governments, Lalong said: “I have been informed that the Nigeria Labour Congress and these State Governments had entered into collective agreements induced by industrial actions carried out by the leadership of the NLC in the States earlier in the year. I would also appeal for calm on this matter, to allow us to follow the laid down procedures of dispute resolution rather than confrontation, which has not yielded the desired results yet. We can not continue to do the same thing and expect different results.”
On the claims of violation of workers’ rights by some employers with regards to membership of the unions in the Aviation Sector, he said: “I am yet to receive a Trade Dispute Form properly submitted to my office on this matter as required by the Trade Disputes Act CAP T8 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria. I wish to reiterate here that no one is above the law, and as such, we shall do everything possible to ensure that all concerned act according to the dictates of existing legislations.
Speaking on the issue of marauders unleashing terror on farmers across the country, the minister urged Nigerians to support the security agencies to continue to investigate and bring the culprits to book.
He further enjoined the labour movement to call on citizens to desist from taking laws into their own hands and report such matters involving members of the Amalgamated Union of Foodstuffs Cattle Dealers of Nigeria (AUFCDN) to authorities for amicable resolution and proper action.
On the comments made by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, on the proposed demolition of illegal structures, Lalong noted: “We do not believe that the FCT administration will take any action targeted at any Nigerian including the workers. In any case, there has not been any execution of the proposed actions yet, which would point to unfair treatment of any worker.”
“I know that my friend and brother, the FCT Minister HE Nyesom Wike, is a lawyer, and I know that he will operate only within the confines of the law and the provisions of the Abuja Masterplan. Besides, it is not sufficient grounds for a threat or mere suspicion or in anticipation of an action to warrant the shutdown of government machinery and stand the risk of rolling back the gains that have already been collectively made to deliver renewed hope for Nigerians.
“In light of these matters, I would like to reiterate my appeal to the leadership of the NLC to suspend their planned 2-day warning strike, and subsequent future actions, and to allow us to work together to amicably resolve these issues rather than embark on actions that would further worsen the conditions of the citizens of Nigeria.”
In a related development, the Trade Union Congress (TUC), has said that there was no need for the workers to embark on a nationwide strike, rather, the Congress should intensify the conversation with government so that all grey areas identified could be ironed out within the time frame given beyond which industrial harmony can no longer be guaranteed.
This was contained in a communique signed and issued by the TUC President, Comrade Festus Osifo, at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Congress held in Abuja.
“After extensive deliberations, the NEC-in-Session resolved as follows: That the Federal Government must intensify discussions with the Labour unions on palliatives and alternatives as earlier promised.
“To increase the amount provided for palliatives as 5billion given to each state is grossly inadequate.
“That federal government should deploy high powered monitoring team to ensure that the palliatives get to the right people.
“That President Tinubu should within the next one week make a categorical statement on Wage Award, tax exemptions and allowances to public sector workers, to cushion the pains and anguish they are going through.
“The modalities of accessing the intervention fund that was recently announced as palliatives to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises should be spelt out and implemented immediately.
“That a national monitoring team be set up that will monitor the distribution of Palliatives across the 36 states of the federation and the FCT. The Adhoc committee whose aim is to ensure verifiable and judicious utilisation of the palliative will work with the various state councils to ensure that palliatives get to the poorest of the poor and not used for political patronage. These committees that will be headed by a NAC member will be stratified along the six geopolitical zones for effectiveness and efficiency.
“That palliatives in themselves do not solve the long term challenges or hardship faced by the people, such long lasting programmes and initiatives should be evolved that will properly address the sufferings of the people in the long term.
“That the LASG is given a two- week ultimatum within which it should obey the court order, and dispense with the impasse with RTEAN, or face a total shut down effective 12 midnight of 18 September, 2023. All affiliates of TUC and the Lagos State Council of Congress are directed to commence full mobilisation, for the total shutdown in Lagos.
“That as of today, the need to embark on a nationwide strike hasn’t arisen hence the leadership of congress should intensify the conversation with government so that all grey areas identified could be ironed out within the time frame given beyond which we cannot guarantee industrial harmony.
“We therefore urge the Government to do the needful to avoid a situation where the TUC, its affiliates and allies would be compelled to confront the government.” The communique reads in parts.
