The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have suspended their planned industrial action over the hike in fuel price.

This is coming after a meeting with some officials of the Federal Government led by the Speaker of the House of Representatives on Monday, June 5, 2023 at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The meeting was aimed at addressing the grievances emanating from the subsidy removal announced by President Bola Tinubu.

The leadership of both trade unions came up with a decision to suspend the planned strike in line with resolutions reached with the Federal Government.

“Following the engagements between the Federal Government, TUC and the NLC, with the intervention of the Speaker, House of Representatives to resolve the disputes that arose from the withdrawal of subsidy on PMS, the following resolutions were reached:

1. The Federal Government, the TUC and the NLC to establish a joint committee to review the proposal for any wage increase or award and establish a framework and timeline for implementation.
2. The Federal Government, the TUC and the NLC to review World Bank Financed Cash transfer scheme and propose inclusion of low-income earners in the program.
3. The Federal Government, the TUC and the NLC to revive the CNG conversion program earlier agreed with Labour Centers in 2021 and work out detailed implementation and timing.
4. The Labour Centers and the Federal Government to review issues hindering effective delivery in the education sector and propose solutions for implementation.
5. The Labour Centers and the Federal Government to review and establish the framework for completion of the rehabilitation of the nation’s refineries.
6. The Federal Government to provide a framework for the maintenance of roads and expansion of rail networks across the country.
7. All other demands submitted by the TUC to the Federal Government will be assessed by the joint committee.”

Consequently, it was agreed at the meeting presided over by the newly appointed Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila that the “A) The NLC to suspend the notice of strike forthwith to enable further consultations. B) The TUC and the NLC to continue the ongoing engagements with the Federal Government and secure closure on the resolutions above. C) The Labour Centers and the Federal Government to meet on June 19, 2023, to agree on an implementation framework”.

At the end of the meeting, President and Secretary General of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo and Nuhu Toro; President and General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joseph Ajaero and Emmanuel Ugboaja, signed for Labour; while the Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Kachollom Daju, signed for the government.