…By for TDPel Media.
The Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led federal government has requested the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to reconsider their planned strike, set to commence next Wednesday.
This appeal was made during a meeting held between government representatives and organized labor.
Fuel Price Hike and Strike Notice
On May 29, 2023, President Tinubu’s administration shocked Nigerians by increasing the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from N185 to N500, which was later further raised to N617 by the NNPCL.
The decision led to increased hardships for citizens, prompting the labor unions to issue a strike notice. They gave the federal government a 7-day ultimatum to address what they viewed as anti-people policies or face industrial action.
Government’s Response and Plea
After a Steering Committee meeting on Palliatives, Olu Verheijen, the leader of the government team and Special Adviser to the President on Energy, along with Kachollom Daju, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, conveyed that the present administration is diligently addressing the labor movement’s concerns regarding the removal of fuel subsidy.
They urged the labor unions to grant the government more time to address their grievances rather than resorting to a strike.
Progress in Addressing the Crisis
The government team emphasized that they were yet to roll out palliatives but wanted to avoid mistakes in their implementation.
The meeting with organized labor was deemed productive, with plans for continued discussions to seek solutions.
The focus was on fast-tracking interventions to provide relief, particularly in areas such as Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), mass transportation, cleaner energy, and reducing transportation costs.
The government aims to implement these measures as swiftly as possible to alleviate the impact of increased transportation costs on citizens.
Labour’s Decision and Empathy from the President
The fate of the strike lies with the labor unions, who will decide whether to proceed with the industrial action.
The government, however, assured that they are making significant progress in addressing the issues to prevent the strike.
President Tinubu is working diligently to tackle the challenges faced by Nigerians and is empathetic towards their hardships.
The government is committed to implementing a comprehensive package of measures promptly to provide relief to the citizens.
In conclusion, amidst rising fuel prices and the threat of a strike, the federal government is urging labor unions to postpone their industrial action and give the administration more time to address their concerns.
The government is actively working on implementing relief measures to alleviate the impact of the fuel price hike on the citizens and provide necessary palliatives.
The situation remains fluid, with both sides engaged in dialogue to find a resolution to the pressing issues.
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