The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is facing internal divisions as the controversy over the removal of fuel subsidies continues.
The NLC had initially planned to commence a strike on June 7, but the leadership called it off after a meeting with the Federal Government. The Trade Union Congress (TUC) had already decided to suspend the strike after a similar meeting with the government, which the NLC had missed.
The state chapters of the unions are unhappy with the decision made by their leaders without proper consultation. They believe that their concerns were not adequately addressed in the agreement reached with the government. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, who led the government delegation, disclosed the resolutions reached, including the establishment of a joint committee to review wage increase proposals and the inclusion of low-income earners in a World Bank Financed Cash transfer scheme.
Some members of the NLC expressed dissatisfaction with the withdrawal of the strike without significant progress on the main issue of fuel subsidy removal. They believe that the new price regime should have been suspended during the discussions to alleviate the suffering of the people. However, the NLC plans to set up a technical committee to find a lasting solution to the fuel subsidy issue.
The controversy began when the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) announced a new fuel price template, resulting in a significant increase in fuel pump prices across the country. The NLC had directed its members to begin nationwide protests and service withdrawal if the government failed to reverse the price increase. President Bola Tinubu had previously announced the removal of fuel subsidies, emphasizing that Nigeria could not continue to subsidize fuel consumption in neighboring countries.
Before the strike was suspended, the Federal Government had sought an interim order from the National Industrial Court to restrain the NLC and TUC from proceeding with the planned strike, citing potential disruptions to the economy, health sector, and education sector. The court granted the government's application and ordered the unions not to strike.
In the midst of the ongoing dialogue between the government and the unions, the TUC demanded an increase in the minimum wage to N200,000 by the end of June 2023, along with other adjustments to alleviate the cost of living. The NLC expressed disappointment that the authorities did not consider the plight of the poor masses before removing the fuel subsidy.
While some state chapters of the NLC await further instructions from the national body, there is a sense that the government's actions have come too late and that people are already suffering. However, there are individuals, like the Director-General of Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies, Comrade Issa Aremu, who believe that the ongoing dialogue is a positive step toward finding a solution that benefits both the downstream petroleum sector and the country as a whole.
The NLC has rejected the ruling of the National Industrial Court, claiming that it favors the government's interests over those of the masses and workers. However, the NLC's National Executive Council decided to suspend further action and mobilization to allow negotiations to proceed, while expressing disapproval of the court's rulings.
Despite the suspension of the strike, the unions remain vigilant and ready to continue their actions if necessary.
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