Breaking: NLC, TUC suspend strike against President Tinubu-led administration
By Eyo Nsima
The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and Trade Union Congress, TUC have suspended their planned strike against the President Boloa Tinibu-led administration.
This was disclosed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Speaking after a crucial meeting of the Federal Government and Organised Labour at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Gbajabiamila, who read the communique signed by all parties, said: “The Federal Government, the TUC and the NLC would review World Bank Financed Cash transfer scheme and propose the inclusion of low-income earners in the programme.
“The Federal Government, the TUC and the NLC to revive the CNG conversion programme earlier agreed with Labour centres in 2021 and work out detailed implementation and timing.
“The Labour centres and the Federal Government to review issues hindering effective delivery in the education sector and propose solutions for implementation.
“The Labour centres and the Federal Government to review and establish the framework for completion of the rehabilitation of the nation’s refineries.
“The Federal Government to provide a framework for the maintenance of roads and expansion of rail networks across the country.
“All other demands submitted by the TUC to the Federal Government will be assessed by the joint committee.
“Consequently, the parties agreed follows:
“The NLC to suspend the notice of strike forthwith to enable further consultations
“The TUC and the NLC to continue the ongoing engagements with the Federal Government and secure closure on the resolutions above
“The Labour Centres and the Federal Government to meet on June 19, 2023, to agree on an implementation framework.”
Before then, the National Industrial Court, NIC, sitting in Abuja, had restrained the NLC, and TUC, from embarking on their planned strike to protest the unilateral removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.
The court, in a ruling delivered by Justice O. Y. Anuwe, barred the two unions from proceeding with the strike, pending the determination of a suit brought before it by the FG.
It also held that the interim order, as well as the substantive suit, should be immediately served on both the NLC and the TUC, which were cited as defendants/respondents in the suit marked: NICN/ABJ/158/2023, even it fixed the matter for hearing on June 19.
The court order followed an ex-parte application FG filed through the Federal Ministry of Justice.
FG’s lawyer, Mrs Maimuna Lami Shiru, who moved the application, maintained that the proposed strike was capable of disrupting economic activities, the health and education sectors.
FG further tendered Exhibits FGN 1, 2 and 3, which were notices from the NLC, TUC and the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, to their members, asking them to withdraw their services with effect from tomorrow, June 7.
The court, in its ruling, held that it was empowered by section 7(b) of the NIC Act, 2006, with the exclusive jurisdiction in matters relating to the grant of any order to restrain any person or body from taking part in any strike, lockout or industrial action.
Justice Anuwe held: “Counsel has pointed out that students of secondary schools nationwide, especially those writing WAEC exams, will be affected; the tertiary institutions who have only just resumed after a long ASUU strike will also be affected, not leaving the health sector, among other sectors; and above all, the economy of the nation.
“In my view, this is a situation of extreme urgency that will require the intervention of this court.”
According to the judge, “having, therefore, considered the totality of this application, I make the following orders: ‘’The defendants/respondents are hereby restrained from embarking on the planned industrial action/or strike of any nature, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice dated 5th June 2023.
“It is ordered that the defendant/ respondents be immediately served with the originating processes in this suit, the motion on notice and the order of this court hereby made.
“The motion on notice is hereby fixed for hearing on 19th June 2023. Hearing notices to that effect shall be served on the defendants/respondents along with the other processes.”
“Immediate reversal or suspension of the recently approved 2023 Fiscal Policy Measures and Tariff adjustment, which increased tariffs on some products and introduced a green tax, among others.
‘’This is a major policy inconsistency that is capable of jeopardizing business continuity, discouraging investment inflow, reducing local production capacity, and encouraging smuggling and counterfeiting, which could also result in estimated N3.87 billion annual losses to the economy among many other negative impacts.
“We demand a unified exchange rate to curtail arbitrage, round-tripping, and speculative activities in the FOREX market, thereby stabilizing the economy and promoting transparency and accountability. ‘’We equally support the electricity value-chain for significant investment in generation, transmission and distribution.
“We want the federal government to review several taxes and levies imposed on the private sector and collected by the three tiers of government. Initiate immediate tax adjustments and reforms to reduce the burden on organized businesses and workers, while expanding the tax net.
“The government should promote energy efficiency and alternatives: Encouraging the use of energy-efficient technologies and alternative fuels can help to reduce dependence on petrol. In Brazil, for instance, the promotion of biofuels as an alternative to petrol has significantly reduced petrol consumption.
‘’Also, the government should strengthen Public-Private Partnerships like the ITF-NECA Technical Skills Development Project, TSDP, which has produced over 20,000 trainees in 40 trade areas across the six geopolitical zones of the country in the past 13 years, as a model for job creation and skills development.”
