2-Day Warning Strike: TUC Disagrees With NLC

Both the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) are sharply divided over the declaration of the two- day nationwide warning strike holding this Tuesday and Wednesday to compel the Federal Government to quickly address the hardship being experienced by most Nigerians arising from the removal of fuel subsidy

President of NLC, Joe Ajero had on Saturday during the congress of the union in Abuja, declared the warning strike, accusing government of not implementing agreement reached on provision of palliative packages and other measures to cushion the effect of removal of fuel subsidy 

He said all the affiliates of the union in the 36 States and Federal Capital Territory had been mobilized to make the warning strike effective for the two-day period 

          

But Chairman of Nigeria (TUC) in Ogun State Chapter, Comrade Akeem Lasisi revealed that members of the union  would not be participating in the 2-day warning strike called by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), due to ongoing engagement with the Federal Government.

         

The Chairman of the Union, who made this known while fielding questions from newsmen in Abeokuta on Monday, noted that the Federal Government had made efforts to cushion the effects of the removal of subsidy on fuel, while in negotiation with the organized labour, identifying the  recent palliative released to states as one of such short term measures to address the economic hardship 

        

Lasisi explained that Governor Dapo Abiodun had invited the NLC and TUC, immediately after the subsidy removal, and constituted a committee to come up with various interventions that could mitigate the effect of the subsidy removal, an act which he added showed uncommon commitment towards the welfare of workers and residents in the state.

         

He stated that intervention in the State included the payment of N10,000 palliatives for three months which began in July 2023, hazard allowance for members in the health sector, peculiar allowance for workers, reduction in the number of working days as well as distribution of grains from the Federal Government to the populace.

        

The Chairman noted that despite the various ongoing interventions, the Union would not relent in engaging the Federal Government to ensure all their demands were met, to further reduce the hardship being experienced by their members and the general public.

         

 He therefore called on members of the union to exercise patience as the union leaders continue to negotiate with the government in the best interest of its members.