The planned statewide strike in protest over the elimination of gasoline subsidies has been put on hold by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
After a meeting between the federal government and the unions at Aso Rock on Monday night, the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, announced this.
He stated that a joint committee would be formed by the Federal Government, the TUC, and the NLC to assess any proposed pay increases or awards and to set a structure and timetable for implementation.
A statement issued following the meeting said, “The Federal Government, the TUC, and the NLC would review the World Bank Financed Cash transfer scheme and propose the inclusion of low-income earners in the programme.”
A statewide strike for Wednesday had been threatened earlier by the NLC and TUC.
CLEARVIEW TELEVISION had previously reported that the National Industrial Court in Abuja had ordered the labor unions not to go on strike.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited introduced a new national gasoline pricing structure on Wednesday of last week.
The change caused the price of petrol at the pump to rise from N197 per litre to above N500.
According to Gbajabiamila, the group also decided to assess the problems impeding effective delivery in the educational sector and to provide solutions for implementation.
“The Federal Government and the Labor Centers should study and define the framework for finishing the repair of the country’s refineries.
“The Federal Government offers a framework for the upkeep of roads and the growth of rail networks across the nation.
“The joint committee will evaluate any additional demands the TUC makes of the Federal Government,” he said.
He emphasized that in order to facilitate more talks, continue the existing dialogues, and obtain resolution on the resolutions, the NLC agreed to immediately postpone the notice of strike.
The resolution had the support of Ms. Kachollom Daju, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour Employment, as well as the Presidents and Secretaries of the NLC and TUC.