The NLC and TUC have declared that the indefinite nationwide strike that was set to begin today, 3rd October 2023, has been suspended. The decision follows constructive negotiations with the Federal Government.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed by the President of the NLC, Joe Ajero, the President of the TUC, Festus Okoroafor, and representatives of the government, including the minister of labour and employment, Simon Lalong, explains the terms on which the strike was suspended.
Following the government’s decision to convene an emergency meeting with the unions on Sunday, which was intended to avert the nationwide strike, key issues were discussed during the meeting, including the lifting of the petrol subsidies and the economic difficulties the country is facing.
At the end of the 4-hour meeting, President Tinubu agreed to a provisional wage increase of N35,000 per category of federal workers.
The MoU that was released on Monday says that the wage increment will start to be paid from September until a new minimum wage is signed into law. The two sides also agreed to set up a committee to look into the issue within a month.
The MoU also said that the government will allocate N100 billion to buy high-capacity CNG buses for public transportation in Nigeria. It also said that there will be an initial CNG conversion kit for autogas conversion and that more CNG stations will be set up across the country.
The rollout is expected to start in November with pilots at 10 campuses across the country. As for the unpaid salaries and wages for tertiary education staff in federal-owned schools, the MoU said it would be sent to the Ministry of Labour and Employment for further action.
They also agreed to visit the refineries together to evaluate their rehabilitation status and to follow social dialogue guidelines in all future meetings.
The document will be submitted to the appropriate Court of First Instance as a Federal Government consent judgment within one week.
