Details Emerge of President’s Meeting with Labour Leaders

Organised Labour had a major win on Wednesday, as President Tinubu met with his leadership and granted some concessions. Giving details of Labour Leaders’ meeting with President Bola Tinubu, Mr. Festus Osifo, President of Trade Union Congress said the President assured Labour leaders that all the issues raised leading to their protests will be looked into. He said the President kept telling labour that his government was new and assured them that he would look into the issues raised.

He spoke on Arise News television station and informed Nigerians that labour wants the issue of the CNG vehicles to be accelerated as alternative to petrol vehicles and the President promised that some announcements will be made on this on Friday. We made requests along offering of immediate palliatives to cushion the effect of the hardship on Nigerians.

Labour also raised the issue of wage award and the President agreed that something would be done. He urged Labour to meet the government’s team and present its recommendation to government for approval.

On getting the local refineries to work, organised labour was assured that one of the refineries, located in Port Harcourt would start producation in December 2023.

Labour also requested the President to give them a representative of government that would have time to always to listen to their grievances as the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon Gbajabiamila is always too busy to give enough time to negotiations. Labour cited an example that the committee set up on June 19, which had itemised issues to be thrashed out was unable to meet on the adjourned date of July 19. Labour leaders therefore, suggested the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation but noted that it had no personal issues with the Chief of Staff.

More importantly, labour demanded that timelines be attached to whatever agreements are reached with government, so as to tract progress. Labour raised issues of the non-functioning refineries.

The meeting was attended by the Chief Executive of NNPLimited. Mallam Kyari and Mr. Dele Alake, Special Advise to the President on Special Duties, Information and Strategy.

After meeting with the President, Organised Labour went into its Executive Committee meeting and decided to call off the protests with immediate effect in order to give the benefit of doubt to the President and the promises he made. A statement to that effect and signed by the Presidents of NLC and TUC was issued suspending the protests.

Yes, the battle is over but the war goes on as Labour in the statement alleged that the federal government has filed a contempt charge against its leadership and urged all workers to embark on protests in their various states anytime the case is called for hearing.

The Senate had earlier asked organised labour to give it one week to also look into their grievances.

FG Confirms Temporary Truce with Labour

Confirming these developments, President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser, Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, Mr. Dele Alake in a statement titled: “Labour Unions to suspend further protest after a fruitful meeting with President Tinubu.” said.

“Consequent upon the fruitful and frank discussion with President Tinubu and their confidence in his ability to encourage open and honest consideration of all the issues put forward by the Labour Movement, the Labour leaders resolved to stop further protest,” a statement signed by President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Dele Alake, read late Wednesday.

“They opted for further constructive engagement with the government to resolve all outstanding issues as they affect the working people and Nigerians in general. “President Tinubu gave his commitment to the labour leaders that the Port Harcourt refineries will start production by December 2023 after the completion of the ongoing rehabilitation contract between NNPCL and Italian firm, Maire Tecnimont SpA.

“President Tinubu assured the Labour leaders that he would continue to work for the best interest of Nigeria while pleading with the Labour leaders to join hands with him to birth a better and economically buoyant country.”