By Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

The proposed strike for Wednesday has been called off after a six hours horse trading meeting that led to the resolution of engagement between the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Federal Government to resolve the issues associated with the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) on Monday.

Following the engagements between the Federal Government, TUC and the NLC with the intervention of the Speaker, House of Representatives Hon Femi Gbajabiamila to resolve the disputes that arose from the withdrawal of subsidy on PMS.

 The following resolutions were reached: 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

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.

The Federal Government, the TUC and the NLC to revive the CNG conversion program earlier agreed with Labor 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.

The Labour centers and the Federal Government to review and establish the framework for completion of the rehabilitation of the nation’s refineries.

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, the parties agreed that 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.

Also, the Labour Congress and the Federal Government to meet on June 19, 2023 to agree on implementation framework.

Those who signed the resolution included: Comrade Erger Festus Osifp President, TUC; Comrade Joseph Ajaero, President, NLC; Comrade Nuhu Toro, Secretary General, TUC; Comrade Emmanuefugboah mni, General Secretary, NLC; Ms. Kachollom 5. Daju, Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment; and Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker House of Representatives for the Federal Government.

TUC Demands N200,000 Minimum Wage

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has asked the Federal Government to increase the national minimum wage from N30,000 to N200,000.

The increment, which is one of the demands raised by TUC at Sunday’s meeting held at the Presidential Villa, has already been forwarded to the government.

A list of other demands is contained in a joint statement signed by Comrade Festus Osifo, President TUC and Comrade Nuhu Abba Toro, Secretary General, respectively, which was also made available to our reporter on Monday.

TUC also wants the government to revert to the old fuel pump prices of N195 per litre while negotiations continue.

“The minimum wage should be increased from the current N30,000 to N200,000 before the end of June 2023, with consequential adjustments to the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA), like feeding, transport and housing,” TUC stated.

The union said a representative of state governors will be party to this new minimum wage and all the governors must commit to implementing the new wage.

It also wants a tax holiday for employees both in government and private sector that earn less than N200,000 or 500USD monthly, whichever is higher.

“We want PMS allowance to be introduced for those earning between N200,000 to N500,000 or 500 USD to 1,200 USD, whichever is higher.

“The exchange rate for retailing PMS in the country must be kept within a limit of +- 2% for the next ten years. Where the fluctuation is more than 2%, the minimum wage will automatically increase at the same rate.

“Setting up an intervention fund where the government will be paying N10 per liter on all locally consumed PMS. The primary purpose of this fund is to solve perennial and protracted national issues in education, health and housing. A governance structure that will include labour, civil society and government will be put in place to manage the implementation.

“The federal government should provide mass transit vehicles for all categories of the populace.

“State governments should immediately set up a subsidized transportation system to reduce the pressure on workers and students. The framework around this will be worked out.

“Immediate review of the National Health Insurance Scheme to cover more Nigerians and prevent out-of-stock drugs.

“Visitation of the refineries that are currently undergoing rehabilitation to ascertain the state of work and set up a timeline for its completion.

“The president should direct whoever will be labour minister to immediately constitute the National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC). This platform will be used by the government, labour, and employers to discuss issues and policies of the government that may affect workers and all other mandates as specified in the law.

“Provision of subsidy directly for food items, the 800 million dollars could be a first step.

“The existing National Housing Fund (NHF) should be made accessible to genuine workers; the framework on this must be discussed and agreed upon.

“Medium Term, Deployment of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) across the country in line with the earlier promise made by the government. The framework and timeline will be developed as agreed upon by both parties.

“Labour and government to design a framework that will be geared towards the reduction of the cost of governance by 15% in 2024 and 30% by 2025.

“A framework should be immediately put in place to maintain the road and expand the rail networks across the country. The government must design a framework for social housing policy for workers through the rent-to-own system.

“The state of electricity in the country must be appraised and an action plan should be defined with time lines on how to get this fixed. A strong monitoring team comprising all parties will be constituted,” the statement added.

Court Stops NLC, TUC from Embarking on Strike

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Abuja division, has restrained the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) from embarking on strike over the removal of petrol subsidy.

The federal government had asked the court for an interim injunction preventing the labour unions from proceeding on the strike scheduled to begin on Wednesday.

Delivering the ruling yesterday, Olufunke Anuwe, the presiding judge, said the unions should halt the planned strike pending the hearing and determination of the ex parte motion filed by the federal government.

On June 2, NLC issued a five-day ultimatum to the federal government to revert to the old price of petrol or face a nationwide strike.

Worker unions, including the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), and Nigeria Union of Journalists, have asked their members to join the planned strike.

Owing to the development, the federal government approached the court for an interim injunction.

The presiding judge said the federal government was able to show that the planned strike is capable of disrupting activities in the health and education sectors.

“The defendants/respondents are hereby restrained from embarking on the planned industrial action/or strike of any nature, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice dated 5th June 2023,” the judge said.

“It is ordered that the defendant/respondents be immediately served with the originating processes in this suit, the motion on notice and the order of this court hereby made.

“The motion on notice is hereby fixed for hearing for 19th June 2023. Hearing notices to that effect shall be served on the defendants/respondents along with the other processes.”

Tinubu to Health Workers: Shelve Strike, We’ll Resolve All Issues

President Bola Tinubu has urged the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) to call off its ongoing indefinite strike.

According to a statement by Abiodun Oladunjoye, state house spokesperson, the president spoke during a meeting with the union’s leadership yesterday.

TheCable had earlier reported that members of JOHESU commenced an indefinite nationwide strike on May 24.

The health workers started the strike to compel the government to pay their hazard allowances and meet the salary structure adjustment, among other demands.

In the meeting with the union, Tinubu promised to accelerate the demands of JOHESU and resolve all pending issues.

“The health sector is one sector with a commitment to humanity. We will resolve all the problems,” the president said.

“Trust must be enshrined in all discussions. I promise you we will accelerate this. We will resolve all the issues. Please go back to work.”

On his part, Obinna Ogbonna, JOSEHU’s acting chairman, said the “assurance” from the president would encourage the union members and influence their return to work.

“Mr President, now that we have assurance from the top, we are encouraged to go back and talk to our members with a view to going back to work,” he said.