Labour Leaves Out Electricity Tariff Hike In Resolution With FG, Suspends Strike
By Frederick Wright
The Organised Labour has suspended its nationwide strike for five days to allow uninterrupted meetings with the tripartite committee on the new national minimum wage.
However, the resolution reached after a meeting with the Federal Government on June 3, 2024 revealed that the labour union may not discuss the matter of the hike in electricity tariff at the meeting, as the content of the resolution issued after meeting excludes electricity tariff.
The resolution obtained by Slye News only focused on Minimum Wage and protection of workers against victimisation.
The President, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo disclosed the suspension of strike on Tuesday (today) in Abuja after a joint extraordinary national executive council meeting of the unions.
He added that the union will soon come out with a statement.
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) down tools on Monday to register their grievances over the hike in electricity tariff and lack of consensus on a new minimum wage.
Meanwhile, the resolution reached at the meeting between the Federal Government and the Organised Labour on Monday 3rd June, 2024, stated that:
“Further to the negotiation by the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage (NMW) and subsequent withdrawal of Labour from negotiation, the Leadership of the National Assembly intervened on 2nd June, 2024. The Organised Labour declared nationwide strike on Monday, 3rd June, 2024 to drive home its demands.
“The Federal Government, in the National interest, convened a meeting with Labour held in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, on Monday 3rd June, with a view to ending the strike action.
“After exhaustive deliberation and engagement by both parties, the following resolutions were reached.
“The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria is committed to a National Minimum Wage that is higher than N60,000;
“Arising from the above, the Tripartite Committee is to meet everyday for the next one week with a view to arriving at an agreeable National Minimum Wage;
“Labour in deference to the high esteem of the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria’s commitment in (ii) above undertakes to convene a meeting of its organs immediately to consider this commitment; and
“No worker would be victimized as a result of the industrial action”.
Done in Abuja on the 3rd of June, 2024.
The document was signed on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria by Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris and Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; while President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, and President, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo, signed for the Organised Labour.
