NLC

The Federal Government has invited labor leaders to a further discussion today, October 1, at 2 PM, in an effort to avert the impending nationwide indefinite strike planned by labor organizations.

The State House in Abuja will host the emergency gathering.

Due to the lack of organized labor representatives, the government-Labour meeting scheduled for September 29 in the State House was called off.

The meeting was scheduled to take place in the Chief of Staff’s Conference Room at the State House, according to a memo written by the Director of Trade Union Services and Industrial Relations, Emmanuel Igbinosun, on behalf of the Minister and addressed to the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress.

The statement read, “Further to my earlier correspondence on the above subject, I once again bring greetings from the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment.

“I am directed to invite the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for a meeting with the Government on the above subject scheduled as follows; Date:- Sunday, October 1st, 2023; Time:- 2 pm; Venue:- Aso Villa Conference Room of the office of the Chief of Staff to Mr President.

“Please be assured as always of the kind regards of the Hon. Minister of Labour & Employment.”

The national leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress are anticipated to attend the gathering.

The Chief of Staff to the President, Honorable Femi Gbajabiamila, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Honorable Simon Lalong, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Honorable Nkiruka Onyejeocha, and a number of other important government representatives are anticipated to attend the meeting on behalf of the government.

The Federal Government’s team that will engage with the labor unions on remedies for subsidy removal was rejected by the organized labor on Tuesday. The team’s leader was Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to the President.

When the union officials visited the Senate, Joe Ajaero, the national president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, announced this.

He added that after two months after the elimination of fuel subsidies, President Bola Tinubu’s pay award committee has yet to convene because the chief of staff has been too busy to call for a meeting.

The labor leaders met with the leadership while they were in the Senate.

The Senate in a resolution two weeks ago agreed to meet with the labour unions on the subsidy removal palliative.

Ajaero said,  “Part of our challenge is the issue of the committee put in place, the committee seems not to be capable, as labour union, we have done negotiation and engagement with the government, from the time of the Secretary to the General of the Federation under ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo, Ufot Ekaette,  during BabaGana Kingibe, Pius Ayim and Boss Mustapha.

“At no time had the Chief of Staff to the President who is very busy called to negotiate or lead negotiations.

“And that has delayed the issues, even since after our protest; another meeting has not reconvened, although the president promised that he will restructure the mechanism of engagement with government to help things to be treated fast.”

Ajaero added, “We had agreed on wage award, and up till this moment the committee on wage award is yet to sit.”

During a meeting with Senate leadership, the NLC President decried the condition of Nigerians as a result of the reduction of gasoline subsidies.

He stated that the administration had failed to put systems in place to mitigate the effects in the country.

He informed lawmakers that while labor leaders were still debating N537 per litre of fuel and the Court had upheld the status quo, the government abruptly chose to raise the price to N620 per litre.

NLC president stated, “Nothing is yet to happen on the issue of $800m projected to be borrowed, we have not perfected the list of the people who will benefit from it.