On Sunday, October 1, 2023, the Federal Government engaged in crucial discussions with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress NLC and the Trade Union Congress TUC to tackle the ongoing dispute stemming from the removal of subsidies on Premium Motor Spirit PMS.
In a press statement issued by Mallam Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, highlights the following
Key Points Discussed:
-The Federal Government announced a provisional wage increment of N25,000 for treasury-paid federal government workers for six months.
-Commitment to expedite the provision of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to alleviate public transportation issues resulting from the PMS subsidy removal.
-A pledge to allocate funds to support micro and small-scale enterprises.
-The waiver of VAT on diesel for the next six months.
-Commencement of a monthly payment of N75,000 to 15 million households, lasting for three months from October to December 2023
Resolutions Reached:
-Acknowledgment that resolving the disputes is most effective when workers are actively working and not engaged in strikes.
-Commitment by the Federal Government Team to present Labour’s request for higher wage awards to President Bola Tinubu for further review.
-Formation of a sub-committee to detail the implementation of all government interventions aimed at mitigating the impact of fuel subsidy removal.
-Urgent attention to the ongoing matter of the Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Lagos State, with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu pledging to address it.
-NLC and TUC considering the Federal Government’s offers with a potential suspension of their planned strike to facilitate further consultations on the resolutions.
The meeting was chaired by Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and witnessed virtual participation from Governor Abdulrazak Abdulrahman of Kwara State, who also serves as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), and Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State.
Notable attendees included Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong; Minister of State, Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite; Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan; and National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
The labour delegation, led by NLC President Joe Ajaero and TUC Deputy President Dr. Tommy Etim Okon, included NLC General Secretary Emma Ugboaja, TUC General Secretary Nuhu Toro, and other prominent members.