'Why We Suspended Strike' - Labour Reacts To Media Backlash

The Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress have reacted to the media backlash after it suspended the planned nationwide strike at the last minute.

In a joint communique on Tuesday, Labour said it considered the impact of COVID-19 before agreeing to shelve the industrial action.

The Communique was titled, ‘Text of the joint communique on the resolution of trade dispute between the Federal and the organised Labour represented by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) at the State House Banquet Hall on September 27’.

On behalf of organised labour, the communique was signed by NLC President Ayuba Wabba; TUC President Quadri Olaleye; Secretary-General NLC, Emmanuel Ugboaja; Secretary-General TUC Musa Lawal Ozigi; NUPENG President Williams Akporeha; PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo; President NUEE Martin Uzoegwu and President, SSAEAC Chris N. Okonkwo.

According to the labour leaders, they considered the impact of COVID-19 before agreeing to shelve the industrial action.

They also noted that the Federal Government explained to them the state of the economy and the drive behind the recent cost-reflective Electricity Tariff adjustments and deregulation of the downstream sector of the Petroleum Industry.

Part of the communique read, “Recognising the public outcry and protest over the recent Federal Government twin policies on Electricity Tariff Reform and full implementation of deregulation of the downstream sector of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry resulting in the planned nationwide industrial action by Organised Labour;

“Bearing in mind the spiral and negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic on world economy,

“Further bearing in mind that due to impact of COVID-19 pandemic the world is undergoing socio-economic transition which has affected price stability, sustainability of enterprises, employment, and other socio-economic indices;

“Acknowledging that the spiral and negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy has given rise to the need for a new socio-economic order;

“Recognising the need to sustain enterprises for retention and creation of jobs as well as sustainable growth and development;

“Acknowledging the need for social concertation between the Federal Government and workers’ representatives, namely the two Labour Centres – The NLC and TUC;

“To aid in the dialogue and communication, the Federal Government side made presentations to show the state of economy and the drive behind the recent cost–reflective Electricity Tariff adjustments and deregulation of the downstream sector of the Petroleum Industry;

“Bipartite meeting to address and resolve the issues in dispute between the Federal Government and Labour Centres were held on September 15, 24, and 27, 2020,

“After exhaustive deliberations on the issues raised by Labour Centres, the Federal Government stated that it has fashioned out palliatives that would ameliorate the sufferings that Nigerian workers may experience as a result of the cost-reflective Electricity Tariff adjustments and deregulation of the downstream sector of the Petroleum Industry. The palliatives will be in the areas of transport, power, housing, agriculture and humanitarian support.

“After thorough debates and negotiations on various issues raised by all parties, resolutions were reached and mutually adopted.”