Labour suspends nationwide strike following Tinubu’s intervention

The Organised Labour Union, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), has suspended its nationwide strike action against the removal of fuel subsidies after an emergency meeting with President Bola Tinubu.

Hakeem Ambali,the national treasurer,NLC, confirmed that the resolution followed the national executive council meeting of the Congress after the intervention of the president and the senate.

Ambali explained that the suspension of the strike was based on the meeting with President Tinubu who had vowed immediate implementation to some of the issues raised during the meeting by the Labour leaders.

The NLC president, Joe Ajaero, following the meeting with Tinubu said the President had made some commitments.
The labour centre is expected to brief the public shortly.

Business A.M gathered that the organised labour and other affiliate unions commenced the nationwide protest  on Wednesday over the hardship caused by some recent policies of the federal government.

This prompted an emergency meeting between the president and the labour leaders at the presidential villa, Abuja. The meeting was attended by Joe Ajaero, the NLC president, as well as Festus Osifo, president of the Trade Union Congress.

Confirming the development in a statement released after the meeting, the presidency said the labour leaders agreed to suspend their strike after the president promised that the Port Harcourt refinery will commence operations in December 2023.

The labour leaders also agreed to give the federal government the benefit of the doubt, and also asked the president to delegate a representative to negotiate with the union on the promises made by the federal government.