Talks between the Federal Government and organized labor regarding the removal of fuel subsidy are set to conclude on Tuesday.
Dele Alake, the spokesperson for the government, made the announcement after a meeting between the government team and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Sunday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
This meeting follows a previous deadlock in negotiations with organized labor, which includes the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the TUC.
The government team, led by Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), included Godwin Emefiele, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL); and former Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. The TUC delegation was led by its President, Festus Osifo.
Notably, the NLC was absent from the Sunday meeting. However, Alake stated that the government remains open to engaging with the NLC and efforts are being made to reach them.
According to Alake, the meeting was highly productive, with the TUC presenting a list of demands for further consideration by the government. The primary priority for organized labor is the minimum wage, which they argue is directly affected by the removal of fuel subsidy. The government intends to establish a tripartite committee consisting of representatives from the federal government, state authorities, organized labor, and the private sector to address this issue. The committee will assess wage increase percentages, the categories of affected workers, and other relevant factors.
Alake assured that the government is taking the matter seriously and will thoroughly analyze the demands, numbers, and viability. The government requested time for extensive consultation and plans to reconvene on Tuesday to make a decision. Alake confirmed that the government has considered the demand to revert to the status quo but a final decision will be made during the next meeting.
Osifo, the TUC President, expressed optimism about a positive outcome as the government considers the demands of Nigerian workers. He stated that the TUC did not agree with the government's offerings and would consult with their respective organs before further negotiations. The TUC called a meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) to discuss the government's proposals and formulate their own demands, including a review of the minimum wage.
Both parties acknowledged the need for further consultations before final decisions can be made. The TUC presented their demands to the government, and Osifo hopes they will be reviewed in the best interest of Nigerian workers and the population as a whole. He also clarified that the absence of the NLC at the meeting is due to the separate decision-making processes of each organization.
The press was called upon to educate the public about organizational decision-making and the binding nature of decisions made by respective organs. Concrete decisions regarding the demands and the possibility of shelving the planned strike by the NLC are expected to be reached during the next meeting on Tuesday.
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