Subsidy: NLC Shuns FG’s Peace Talks, Insists on Strike

 •To shutdown airports as pilots, aviation workers join  

•Banks, ASUU, ASUP, electricity, varsity staff to withdraw services  

•TUC opts for dialogue 

•FG appeals to NLC to suspend strike, asks for two weeks to address demands

Onyebuchi Ezigbo and Juliet Akoje in Abuja

The leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has boycotted a meeting convened by Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, to try to avert the two-day warning strike declared by the congress. At the meeting, which kicked off yesterday evening, only the leadership of Trade Union Congress (TUC), represented by its President, Festus Osifo, along with other national officers of the union, were present.

Many affiliate unions of NLC and civil society allies had expressed their readiness to participate in the two-day warning strike. They included Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), non-teaching staff of universities, National Union of Banks, and Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE). Others were National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), 

The meeting between representatives of the federal government and labour was slated for 3pm, but it could not start until 5.45pm, due to late arrival of the labour leaders.

The gathering, which had only TUC and federal government officials in attendance, went into a closed-door after the minister politely asked journalists to leave to allow the stakeholders deliberate on critical issues.

NLC had on Friday declared that workers across the country should embark on a two-day warning strike from Tuesday, September 5, over the current hardship being experienced by Nigerians nationwide.

But at the meeting with TUC, Lalong pleaded with the organised labour to give the federal government two weeks to respond to the workers’ demands.

Speaking to journalists in his office in Abuja, after meeting with the leadership of TUC, Lalong said both sides agreed to use the next two weeks to work out acceptable measures to cushion the effect of the government’s recent economic policies. 

On the issue of palliatives following fuel subsidy removal, Lalong said, “We are already discussing with Mr. President and we are going to carry over from here. We now need a period of about two weeks so that we can address those issues and bring them back again for further discussion.”

Lalong, said some of these issues raised were very urgent while others would require a long time to address.

He said, “We all agreed that there would be no strike within this two-week period while we are doing our deliberations and, therefore, working towards realising some of these objectives. This was our discussion.”

The minister said some of the major issues discussed included implementation of government palliative measures, the dispute involving Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) and National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and the proposed N70 billion for the funding of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). He said the meeting also considered the issue of wage award, which was proposed by the President Bola Tinubu.

Lalong further said issues discussed at the meeting would form key matters to be addressed by the federal government within the two-week period.

Speaking on the outcome of the talks with the government team, Osifo said, “Today we were here and we have raised some of the issues that emanated from the communiqué of the TUC issued yesterday and these issues, as highlighted by the minister, were discussed.

“For us, we think that some of these issues are issues that could be addressed urgently, like tomorrow or next tomorrow. But on their part, they also explained some of the constraints that are there currently.

“We looked at these issues, like the ones bordering on the wage award that today states are making pronouncements on what they will do for the state workers.”

When asked how the union viewed the federal government’s response so far, Osifo said, “Yes, for us, it is not satisfactory yet, but pronouncements are being made. We have not heard anything from the federal government regarding federal workers.”

He said there was no doubt that the cost of workers’ transportation to their offices had gone up tremendously.

Osifo stated, “So we raised the issue, this would be remediated and that is to be through the wage award, which we have mentioned to Mr. President.

“We also talked about the issues freezing of tax for some categories of civil servants, both public and private sector workers.”

On palliatives, the TUC president said the union made it known to the government team that the sum of N5 billion per state being disbursed by the federal government was too small and that more funds should be deployed.

According to Osifo, “With the president being away from the country, coupled with the fact the federal executive meeting will be held next week, where the workers demand will be tabled for approval, TUC resolved to accept the two weeks proposed by the government side.”

The union said it would intensify the discussion with the federal government so that all grey areas identified could be ironed out within the time frame given, stressing that beyond the period it cannot guarantee industrial harmony.

In a communiqué signed by Osifo and TUC Secretary General, Nuhu Toro, the union criticised government’s intervention, and said what was required was lasting programmes and initiatives that would properly address sufferings of the people in the long term.

The TUC said palliatives alone could not solve the long term challenges and hardship faced by the people.

It communique further stated, “That federal government should deploy high powered monitoring team to ensure that the palliatives get to the right people.

“That President Tinubu should within the next one week make a categorical statement on wage award, tax exemptions and allowances to public sector workers, to cushion the pains and anguish they are going through.”

It said the modalities for accessing the intervention fund that was recently announced as palliatives to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises should be spelt out and implemented immediately.

It also demanded that a national monitoring team be set up to monitor the distribution of palliatives across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Furthermore, the communique said an ad hoc committee, whose aim would be to ensure verifiable and judicious utilisation of the palliative, would work with the various state councils to ensure that the palliatives get to the poorest of the poor and not used for political patronage.

“These committees that will be headed by a NAC member will be stratified along the six geopolitical zones for effectiveness and efficiency,” it added.

TUC also gave the Lagos State government a two-week ultimatum to obey the court order, and address with the impasse with RTEAN, or face a total shut down, effective 12 midnight of September 18.

“All affiliates of TUC and the Lagos State Council of Congress are directed to commence full mobilisation for total shutdown in Lagos,” it added.

Earlier, Lalong had at press briefing explained that he was yet to meet with the labour leaders, before yesterday, because he had not gotten adequate briefing from the relevant departments. He appealed to the leadership of NLC to prevail on all its affiliate unions to shelve their scheduled two-day strike.

The minister told journalists in Abuja that the federal government had taken steps to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy, saying they are being implemented by the three tiers of government.

He stated, “As we continue in this direction, therefore, we must ensure that there is a robust line of communication with Nigerians and, in particular, the organised labour to forestall a breakdown of industrial peace, which would, no doubt, reverse some of the gains already made.

“In this context, it has become pertinent to appeal to the leadership of the NLC to suspend its intended two days warning strike, as such action would be detrimental to the gains already being recorded on our course to securing a greater future for Nigerian workers and citizens at large.”

The federal government appealed to NLC to give it some time to address the issues on the ground holistically.

Lalong said the ministers were recently sworn-in by the new administration. He said most of them were still receiving briefings from their various departments.

“Therefore, the issues raised by the leadership of the NLC are some issues that I and the Hon. Minister of State for Labour and Employment are being briefed upon,” Lalong said.

He added, “In the next few weeks, we intend to address them holistically.

“Consequently, I use this opportunity to reassure Nigerian workers that this government would never take them for granted nor fail to appreciate their support and understanding.

“We shall continue to pursue policies aimed at massive employment generation in all sectors of the economy as well as look into immediate challenges that have emerged out of the policies of government.

“We cannot do this in an atmosphere devoid of industrial peace.”

The minister said he was yet to receive official communication of the NLC communiqué following its National Executive Council meeting, as required by law.

He stated, “Like many Nigerians, I and the Hon. Minister of State got the information from media sources. I believe my dear comrades will do the needful by following laid down processes for handling such matters since the cabinet is now in place, unlike previously when there was no cabinet on ground.”

On progress so far in addressing the demands of labour, Lalong said the president had approved several measures to help cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal. He said palliative measures were already being implemented, beginning with the states and local governments.

He said, “You will recall that on the directive of Mr. President, the federal government dispatched trucks of rice and other grains to states for immediate distribution to most vulnerable citizens.

“In addition, the National Economic Council under the chairmanship of the vice president, approved the disbursement of N5 billion to the 36 states and the FCT for purchase and distribution of more palliatives and further interventions.

“Earlier, Mr. President had directed the purchase of CNG powered buses and implementation of the policy for conversion of petrol cars to gas as a way of reducing the cost of energy for transportation.

“In the course of the coming weeks, additional measures will be announced, having consulted with the leadership of the labour, organised labour and key stakeholders.

“The issue of the review of minimum wage, which was promised by the president, will also receive attention so as to ensure that the Nigerian worker is not adversely affected by the challenges of the moment.”

Lalong also promised that the conflict between the Nigeria Police and the leadership of NURTW would be looked into without delay.

As for the matter between organised labour and the governments of Imo and Abia states, Lalong appealed to both parties to employ dialogue to resolve the issues.

The federal government’s appeal came as many affiliate unions of NLC and civil society allies, including ASUU, ASUP, non-teaching staff of universities, and NUBIFIE, expressed their readiness to participate in the two-day warning strike.

NUBIFIE, the umbrella body for workers in the banking and insurance sector, vowed to shutdown activities in Nigeria.

The leadership of NUBIFIE issued a notice that all banks would be shut down today, Tuesday, September 5, and Wednesday, September 6, in line with NLC’s two-day strike directive

A statement to this effect was signed by the scribe of the association, Mr. Mohammed Sheikh.

NUATE and NAAPE also confirmed that their members would join the two-day warning strike. In a letter addressed to its branches nationwide, the unions directed their members to join the NLC strike.

In the letter signed by General Secretaries of NUATE, Ocheme Abah; Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP), Abdulrasaq Saidu; and NAAPE, Umoh Ofonime, the unions stated, “Accordingly, as affiliates of the NLC, all the state councils and branches of the above named trade unions are directed to fully join the state councils of the NLC in all the states on the September 5th and 6th for the warning strike. “Aviation workers are hereby directed to stay at home during these periods.”

Similarly, National Union of Electricity Employees directed its members across the country to join the two-day nationwide warning strike. A circular signed by the union’s Acting General Secretary, Dominic Igwebike, read, “With reference to the communique from the National Executive Council (NEC) of the NLC dated 31st August, 2023 at which the state of the economy and the plight of common Nigerians caused by the various government anti-poor policies were extensively discussed as well as the intimidatory activities of the government, especially at the state levels, on the organised labour unions, we are:

“To commence a two-day nationwide warning strike (withdrawal of services) on Tuesday and Wednesday the 5th & 6th of September, 2023 to demand the state vacate the illegally occupied trade union offices.

“To embark on a total and indefinite shutdown of the nation within 14 working days or 21 days from 1st September, 2023, until the government takes steps to address the excruciating mass suffering and impoverishment being experienced around the country and other labour issues raised in the NLC communique.”

United Action Front of Civil Society also declared support for the strike by NLC, to protest against hardship in the country. In a statement signed by Head, National Coordinating Centre, United Action Front of Civil Society, Wale Okunniyi, the group described the subsidy removal palliatives as another device of the ruling class to fleece impoverished Nigerians.

Okunniyi stated, “The leadership of the organised civil society, therefore, wishes to unequivocally decry these mindless policies of the federal government, which have further pushed millions of households that were hitherto managing to cope with their meagre incomes, below poverty line, therefore, compelling our patriotic call on Nigerians in the public and private sectors to team up with the NLC in demanding the reversal of the asphyxiating policies being implemented unilaterally without justification or any concrete economic plan beyond making Nigerians to pay for the corrupt mismanagement of the subsidy scheme, which incidentally has been admitted by government itself.

“We also wish to reiterate that the so-called palliatives for the fuel subsidy removal being financed through a World Bank loan to be paid back with interest by the Nigerian people, is another device by the ruling class to further fleece the already pauperised masses of the country in continuation of the culture of profligacy through which the Buhari administration plunged Nigeria into debt being serviced by over 90 percent of the Nation’s revenue.”

Okunniyi said the Tinubu administration clearly had no reasonable justification for insisting on arbitrary fuel price hike, when those who pilfered the national treasury in the name of subsidy payment were walking the streets of Nigeria free; with some of them still calling the shots in the present administration.

“We make bold to challenge the Tinubu government to demand accountability for the fraudulent fuel subsidy payments and wasteful debt servicing policy of the preceding Buhari administration, if it genuinely wishes to be taken seriously by Nigerians.”

Meanwhile, due to the planned NLC strike, the ad-hoc committee investigating job racketeering in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), yesterday, adjourned sitting to Thursday, September 7.

The committee was mandated to investigate the alleged mismanagement of personnel recruitment, employment racketeering and gross mismanagement of the IPPIS.

Chairman of the ad-hoc committee, Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi (APC-Plateau), upon resumption of the hearing, explained that the hearing was postponed to enable all the MDAs invited to make their presentations.

While frowning on the level of impunity being perpetuated by some public officials involved in the alleged job racketeering, Gagdi assured Nigerians of the 10th Assembly’s resolve to end the practice going forward.

Gagdi noted that the committee would make far-reaching recommendations in its report and pledged that the issue of indiscriminate waiver being granted to MDAs would be abolished forthwith.