The FG and the TUC agree on a two-week time frame to resolve labour issues.

The Federal Government and the Nigerian Trade Union Congress (TUC) have agreed to give the government two weeks to resolve some of the Congress’s issues.

This was revealed by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Solomon Lalong, during a meeting with the leadership of the Trade Union Congress, led by its President, Comrade Festus Osifo, in Abuja.

“The meeting was convened by the Minister to resolve TUC’s and Nigeria Labour Congress’ differences with government and to avert the pending warning strike by organised labour,” said Olajide Oshundun, Director, Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Information and National Orientation.

“According to Lalong, the issues for which a two-week deadline has been set include wage awards for federal civil servants to cushion the impact of rising poverty among them, as well as tax exemption for a certain level of workers in both the public and private sectors.”

“Other issues on the two-week timeline include putting structures in place to ensure effective implementation of the Federal Government’s palliatives declared for the states and the FCT, as well as laying out the modalities for accessing the N70 billion proposed for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) funding, among others.”

“The Minister declared that the meeting would reconvene in two weeks for further discussions, and added that the parties understood that some of the issues were urgent, while others would take a long time to resolve.”

“The parties also agreed, according to Lalong, that there would be no strike during the two-week peace period “while we are undertaking debates and also working towards accomplishing some of these objectives.”

“The TUC President, Comrade Festus Osifo, stated that the two-week timeline was reasonable because it would give the government enough time to address the issues.”

“He revealed that, at the start of the discussion, the TUC leadership was pressing for a one-week schedule for resolving matters in disagreement, but had to reconsider due to government constraints, noting, “We also need to be pragmatic.”

“Osifo stated that their demands, as stated in a previous communique issued by the Congress, include resolving the impasse between the Lagos State Government and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), increasing the amount provided for palliative care as the sum of N5 billion allocated per state is insufficient to alleviate Nigerians’ sufferings.”

“Earlier, in a press conference, the Minister urged the Nigeria Labour Congress to postpone its planned two-day warning strike on September 5th and 6th, as such action would jeopardise the government’s progress in securing a better future for Nigerian workers and citizens.”

“He urged the NLC leadership to give the government some time to address the issues raised in a comprehensive manner.”

“The Minister reassured Nigerian workers that the government would never take them for granted, nor would it fail to appreciate their support and understanding.”