NLC, TUC suspend proposed strike over petrol subsidy removal

• To reconvene on June 19 for further negotiations with government.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have suspended the planned strike over the removal of the petrol subsidy.

The labour unions announced the suspension after a meeting of their leaders and representatives of the federal government on Monday.

They are to reconvene on June 19 for further negotiations.

The NLC was absent at the meeting between government delegation and organised labour as only the representatives of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) were in attendance on Sunday.

However, members of the NLC, led by the president, Joe Ajaero arrived at the presidential villa at about 5:45pm on Monday.

Recall that the national industrial court same Monday restrained TUC and NLC from embarking on proposed strike slated for Wednesday.

Olufunke Anuwe, the presiding judge, said the unions should halt the planned strike pending the hearing and determination of the ex parte motion filed by the federal government.

Meanwhile the resolutions reached at the meeting between the labour leaders and representatives of the federal government includes : Organised labour and the government’s team agreed to establish a joint committee to review the proposal for any wage increase or award — and establish a framework and timeline for implementation.

Part of the resolution was for the federal government, the TUC and the NLC to review the World Bank-financed cash transfer scheme and propose the inclusion of low-income earners in the programme.

The joint team is expected to review issues hindering effective delivery in the education sector and propose solutions for implementation as well as establish the framework for completion of the rehabilitation of the nation’s refineries.

The federal government is to also provide a framework for the maintenance of roads and the expansion of rail networks across the country.