Abati: I thought I could rattle Tinubu during media chat — but he knows what he’s doing

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have suspended their planned nationwide strike over hike in petrol prices.

The two congresses had mobilised their members for a nationwide strike from Wednesday, but they suspended the strike after meeting with the Federal Government’s representatives on Monday night at the State House, Abuja.

A communique issued at the end of the meeting was read by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and incoming Chief of Staff to the president, Femi Gbajabiamila.

According to the communique, the Federal Government, the TUC and the NLC would review World Bank Financed Cash transfer scheme and propose inclusion of low-income earners in the programme.

It added that the Federal Government, the TUC and the NLC were to revive the CNG conversion programme earlier agreed with Labour centres in 2021 and work out detailed implementation and timing.

The communique said the Labour centres and the Federal Government were to review issues hindering effective delivery in the education sector and propose solutions for implementation.

“The Labour centres and the Federal Government to review and establish the framework for completion of the rehabilitation of the nation’s refineries.

“The Federal Government to provide a framework for the maintenance of roads and expansion of rail networks across the country. All other demands submitted by the TUC to the Federal Government will be assessed by the joint committee,” it added.

Consequently, the communique stated that the parties agreed that the NLC should suspend the notice of strike forthwith to enable further consultations.

It added that the TUC and the NLC were to continue the ongoing engagements with the Federal Government and secure closure on the resolutions above.

The parties also agreed that the Labour Centres and the Federal Government would meet on June 19, 2023, to agree on an implementation framework.

Earlier in the day, a Federal High Court granted an interim order restraining the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) from going on strike from Wednesday.

The court said the planned strike should not continue until the determination of the motion on notice.