ABUJA, Nigeria— The Federal Government has announced that it has reached a tentative agreement with the Trade Union Congress, TUC, to address various labour-related issues within a two-week window.
The agreement comes in the backdrop of a two-day warning strike organized by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, that commenced on Tuesday, September 5, 2023.
Olajide Oshundu, the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Labour and Employment, released a statement on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, detailing the agreement.
According to the statement, the issues slated for resolution within the two-week period include wage awards for federal civil servants, tax exemption for specific worker categories, and the implementation structure for Federal Government palliatives.
The TUC, distinct from the NLC, has chosen not to participate in the ongoing warning strike.
Festus Osifo, the TUC President, confirmed this to journalists on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, stating that the TUC was satisfied with the government’s willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue.
On the other hand, NLC President Joe Ajaero expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance seen on the first day of the warning strike.
“We are pleased with how our members have respected the sit-at-home directives,” said Ajaero, urging members to fix any loopholes observed during the strike’s first day as they proceed with the second day on Wednesday, September 6.
Key Points to Address
- Wage awards for federal civil servants.
- Tax exemptions for certain categories of workers.
- Structures for effective implementation of Federal Government palliatives.
This agreement with the TUC is seen as a significant step forward in mitigating the labour crises plaguing the country, particularly in the wake of the removal of fuel subsidies, which has led to public outcry and economic hardship.
However, the divergence between the TUC and NLC strategies puts into question how unified Nigeria’s labor unions are in their approach to dealing with pressing issues affecting workers across the country.