NLC, TUC To Proceed With Strike As Meeting With FG Ends In Deadlock

The meeting between the Federal Government (FG) and organized Labour aimed at averting a planned strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) ended in a deadlock.

The Minister of State Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, who hosted the meeting in Abuja, on Monday night could not convince the unions to suspend the strike slated for February 23.

Recall that the NLC and TUC on February 8 issued a 14-day nationwide strike notice to the Federal Government over the failure of the Bola Tinubu-led government to implement the agreements reached on October 2, 2023, following the removal of the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit known as petrol.

In a statement signed by the leaders of the two labour unions, Joe Ajaero and Festus Usifo, the organized Labour expressed sadness that despite the passage of time, “The majority of these crucial agreements remain unmet or negligibly addressed, indicating a blatant disregard for the principles of good faith, welfare and rights of Nigerian workers and Nigerians.”

Addressing the Second National Labour Adjudication and Arbitration Forum organized by the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association in Abuja on Tuesday, the NLC President, Ajaero, pointed out that the government’s failure to implement agreements was the primary reason for the lack of positive outcomes in social dialogues.

This is following his advocacy for a yearly review of workers’ minimum wages to survive the biting economic hardship occasioned by the policy stance of the government.

The event themed, ‘Strengthening Tripartism and Social Dialogue (including Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms) for a sustainable industrial relation system in Nigeria,’ serves as a platform for social partners and stakeholders to promote fair and just resolution of labour disputes, foster harmonious employer-employee relations.

Ajaero decried the ‘promise and fail’ tactics employed by government officials to inflict pain on Nigerians.

He lamented that eight months after the fuel subsidy removal, the government was yet to fulfill any of the 16-point agreement signed with the labour unions in October last year.

He said, “I have heard a lot about the minimum wage coming on board and it is crucial. We have been paying lip service to the issue of tripartism. Yesterday, we had a meeting and part of the agreement was talking about social dialogue.’’

Responding to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, who urged the NLC to embrace tripartism, and social dialogue, Ajaero said, “If tripartism produces an agreement and that agreement is not implemented, what is the essence of having such dialogue?

“Last October, we had a 16-point agreement with the government but up till today, none has been implemented. So, if you call me for social dialogue again, do you think I would answer you?

“It is a problem and becoming a mantra but we must internalize it so that Nigerians will know that you are serious.”

 Continuing, Ajaero called for an amendment to the minimum wage law that stipulates a once-in-five-year negotiation.

“No matter what you negotiate with, the present Nigerian economy will not buy anything meaningful in the next five years. So, we have to look at all these issues. I think we should have a system that every year we look at the level of inflation and devaluation and adjust accordingly.

 “People have been coming up to say if the government increases salaries, it would affect inflation and then you keep salaries constant while other variables continue to go up. The wage award for N35,000 has not been paid and workers are being owed salaries.’’

“It took the government 24 hours to say that the subsidy is gone but it is taking eight months to decide what to do with it and then you are saying we should give more time.

‘’No CNG buses on the road and then labour unions are termed as trouble-makers. Even states are not paying the wage award,’’ he complained.

In response, Akume, represented by the Cabinet Affairs Official, Richard Pheelangwah, said, “I urge the NLC to embrace tripartism and social dialogue by recognizing the fact that collaboration and mutual understanding between government and labour unions.

“Each party must actively listen to the concerns and perspectives of the others, fostering a spirit of compromise and cooperation. While striving for a living wage for Nigerian workers, we must acknowledge the nation’s economic challenges.’

“Finding a sustainable equilibrium that protects workers’ well-being without jeopardizing business viability and overall economic health is crucial,” he said.

He also asked the labour unions to recognize the fact that collaboration and mutual understanding between government, employers, and labour unions are paramount.

“Each party must actively listen to the concerns and perspectives of the others, fostering a spirit of compromise and cooperation,’’ he further advised.

 He admonished the labour leaders to embrace alternative mechanisms like mediation and arbitration to expedite resolutions, minimize disruptions, and foster trust among stakeholders, noting that the traditional methods may not always yield the desired outcomes.

 In actualising their demands, Akume asked the unions to consider “wider public service obligations discharged by the government to cushion economic hardships, beyond the minimum wage.’’

 These, he said, included increased investment in infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and power plants which according to him, had helped to create jobs and boost economic activity; investment in gas-powered public transportation systems, railways and waterways; and expansion and strengthening of social safety nets, such as the Conditional Cash Transfer programme.

Source: Punch

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