THUR, AUGUST 03 2023-theGBJournal |The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) say they are returning to ”a new and reinvigorated dialogue process” after a ”fruitful” closed door session with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Wednesday.
The labour leaders met with the President amidst a nationwide protest, and after what it described as ”timely intervention” of the leadership of the National Assembly who pledged to resolve the issues raised by ”the Nigerian people.”
At the meeting the Organised Labour said the President committed to four key demands including an immediate restructuring of the framework for engagement in line with the input of the Labour leaders, a certainty that the Portharcourt Refinery will commence production by December this year, ensuring that Agreement is reached on the Wage Award for Nigerian workers immediately and a promise to unveil a workable roadmap to the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) alternative next week.
”On the strength of the President’s pledge and commitment, we have decided for a return to a new and reinvigorated dialogue process to allow for full implementation, while we wait for the Government to fulfill its own part of the understanding as agreed with His Excellency; the President,” the union leaders said in a statement jointly signed by the Presidents of NLC and TUC, Comrade Joe Ajaero and Comrade Festus Osifo.
Meanwhile, the Organised Labour leaders said they have received a Court summons purporting to charge them with contempt of Court, and urged all Nigerians to be vigilant because ”it appears that the days of long knives are here with us again.”
The leadership said they remain resolute in its commitment to the protection of the interests and welfare of the Nigerian people and nothing whatsoever can take our eyes away from this focus nor shake this belief.
”To further show our collective resolve, All Nigerian workers will resume at the Courts wherever they may be across the nation on the days of the Court sittings to hear the contempt proceedings against the leaders of trade unions.
The Airports, the Seaports, the Hospitals, Schools; all public and private sector workers will all appear in Court across the nation in response to the Contempt charges.”
On the outcome of the nationwide protest, the Unions said, ”the message you have sent today is a strong demonstration of our collective resolve as patriots and owners of the sovereign will to demand that those who occupies the corridors of power must listen to us.
You have sent a very strong, loud and clear signal to those occupying the various government houses be it at the federal or state that the people remain the sovereign and the barometer for measuring that resides with the trade union movement who have continued to be the bastion of that collective will.”
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