By Fawaz Adebisi
In a remarkable turn of events, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have opted to suspend their proposed nationwide strike following extensive negotiations with the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The decision, which came after a series of meetings over the past few days, has been greeted with optimism and renewed hope for workers and citizens alike.
The decision to suspend the impending strike is underpinned by a range of pivotal agreements that signify a commitment to addressing various economic and labor-related concerns.
The agreement included, “A wage award of N35,000 for all federal government workers starting from September.
“Inauguration of a minimum wage committee within one month.
“Suspension of Value Added Tax (VAT) on Diesel for six months.
“Allocation of N100 billion for high-capacity CNG buses and auto gas conversion.
“Implementation of tax incentive measures for the private sector and the public.
“Resolution of leadership crises in NURTW and the situation of RTEAN.
“Referral of the issue of outstanding salaries and wages of tertiary education workers to the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
“Payment of N25,000 per month for three months to 15 million households.
“Increased initiatives for subsidized fertilizer distribution to farmers.
“Encouragement for state governments to implement wage awards.
“Provision of funds for Micro and Small Scale Enterprises.
“Joint visitation to refineries to assess their rehabilitation status.
“Commitment to social dialogue in future engagements.
“Suspension of the planned nationwide strike for 30 days.
“Filing of this memorandum as a consent judgment in the relevant court.”
These agreements underscore President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring that the dividends of democracy reach the hardworking citizens of Nigeria.
