The Trade Union Congress is pressing the Federal Government to quicken its pace in implementing support measures for Federal Government workers, after the removal of the fuel subsidy.
In addition, the TUC emphasised that the removal of the subsidy has amplified workers’ impatience due to the associated economic challenges.
Comrade Festus Osifo, who serves as the President of the TUC, made this statement when he met with Simon Lalong, the Minister of Labour and Employment, on Tuesday, September 19, in Abuja.
The meeting in question followed a prior session on September 4th, which had been initiated by the minister to tackle the issues raised by organised labour.
According to Osifo, the leadership of the TUC loses sleep over the tough challenges workers are grappling with, which are making life exceptionally difficult.
The TUC president said, ‘Congress was hopeful that between the next two weeks, President Bola Tinubu would have done everything possible to arrive at a conclusion which the workers are eager to hear in order to douse the tension and threat for withdrawal of services.’
Olajide Oshundun, in his capacity as Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, made this statement before the meeting transitioned into a closed-door format.
‘After the meeting, the TUC said it held fruitful discussions and hoped that the government will live up to its promises and responsibility for ensuring the welfare of workers and Nigerians in general,’ the statement said.
The purpose of the meeting, as stated by Lalong, was to provide the TUC leadership with a comprehensive overview of the federal government’s actions taken to address their grievances.
Alongside Minister of State Nkeiruka Onyeajeocha, the minister shared with the TUC that following their earlier meeting, he had a conversation with President Bola Tinubu to discuss some of the issues raised by organised labour.
He urged the TUC to exercise greater patience and provided an explanation. He mentioned that prior to the President’s departure for the United Nations General Assembly in New York, he had been fully briefed and had given additional directives regarding the implementation of the issues presented to him, especially during his meeting with labour leaders.
‘Before the meeting went into a closed-door session, the Minister thanked the TUC for accepting to come for the briefing, noting that it showed that they are committed to the Nigerian project and are open to dialogue for greater industrial harmony,’ the statement said.
Labour has put forward several demands, including salary increments, tax relief, and additional allowances for public sector workers. They have also called for the introduction of Compressed Natural Gas buses, clarification on the disbursement of the N70 billion fund for Small and Medium Enterprises, and the release of detained National Union of Road Transport Workers officials, among other issues.
Also speaking via his official X handle, the minister said, ‘I had the privilege of meeting with the leadership of the Trade Union Congress once again, marking the second time in as many weeks. My purpose was to personally update them on the efforts that the Federal Government has been making to address their concerns since our last meeting,’ he tweeted.’
“In the company of Minister of State Hon. Nkeiruka Onyeajeocha, I spoke to the TUC members, explaining that following our previous meeting, I had a conversation with the President. During this discussion, I emphasised the critical issues raised by the labour union.
‘I implored the TUC to exercise patience, sharing that, before the President’s departure for the United Nations General Assembly in New York, he was fully briefed on the matters at hand. Furthermore, he provided clear directives on how to proceed with the issues, especially after his personal interaction with labour leaders.’