*Abuja, Nigeria – September 20, 2023*: The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has intensified its call on the Federal Government to expedite the provision of palliatives for Federal Government workers in the wake of the subsidy removal on Premium Motor Spirit. Workers’ impatience is growing amid the hardships triggered by the subsidy removal, as stated by TUC President Comrade Festus Osifo during a crucial meeting held on Tuesday, September 19, in Abuja with the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong.
This meeting marked a follow-up to a prior gathering on September 4, instigated by the Minister of Labour and Employment, aimed at addressing the demands of organized labor. Comrade Festus Osifo emphasized the immense pressures faced by workers, leading the TUC leadership to lose sleep over the dire situation.
In a statement released by Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Olajide Oshundun, before the closed-door session of the meeting, it was highlighted, “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.”
Minister Simon Lalong called the meeting to apprise the TUC leadership of the Federal Government’s efforts to address the grievances raised by the labor force. Accompanied by Minister of State, Nkeiruka Onyeajeocha, Lalong disclosed that he had met with President Bola Tinubu to discuss key issues raised by organized labor.
Lalong appealed to the TUC for patience, asserting that before President Tinubu’s departure for the United Nations General Assembly in New York, he received a comprehensive briefing and issued directives regarding the issues raised, particularly in his interaction with labor leaders.
Speaking via his official X handle, Minister Lalong tweeted, “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 continued, “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 emphasized the critical issues raised by the labor 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 labor leaders.”
The demands of organized labor include wage awards, tax exemptions and allowances for public sector workers, provision of Compressed Natural Gas buses, release of modalities for the N70 billion allocated for Small and Medium Enterprises, and the release of officials of the National Union of Road Transport Workers detained by the police, among other pressing concerns. This ongoing dialogue between the TUC and the Federal Government aims to foster greater industrial harmony while addressing the challenges faced by Nigerian workers.
