Labour Warns FG: No Advance Notice Before Next Strike

The Trade Union Congress revealed on Saturday that the suspension of its nationwide strike scheduled for October 1 is a temporary measure. It emphasized that the suspension hinges on the President Bola Tinubu-led administration’s commitment to fulfill the conditions outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Federal Government and Organized Labour.

Labour also refuted the claims made by governors that they would not implement the demands outlined in the MoU between the Federal Government and organized labour, asserting that governors had already introduced palliatives for state civil servants and residents before the MoU’s signing.

Tommy Etim, the National Deputy President of the Trade Union Congress, conveyed these sentiments in an interview with our correspondent in Abuja on Saturday.

Recent reports have indicated that organized labour and the Federal Government reached a 15-point agreement in the MoU, which was publicly disclosed on October 1, 2023.

Addressing concerns about governors potentially reneging on the terms of the agreement, Etim commented, ‘That’s not feasible. In any case, we have communicated with our counterparts in the states and have sent letters to that effect.’

Regarding the progress made in negotiations with the government, the labor leader remarked, ‘The 30-day ultimatum we issued remains in effect. We have afforded them time, and we believe they are actively engaged in resolving the issues.

What we did was merely suspend the strike. The resumption of the strike can occur without further notice. We have fulfilled our part, and we are awaiting their response.'”