The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Monday night suspended their strike scheduled for Wednesday.

This development is sequel to a meeting by the representatives of the Federal Government and the Organised Labour at the Presidential Villa on Monday night over fuel subsidy removal.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives and newly appointed Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, who disclosed the outcome of the meeting to State House correspondents, read a communique stating the agreement struck between the NLC, TUC and the team set up by President Bola Tinubu to discuss the issues arising from the subsidy removal.

According to him, the Federal Government, the TUC and the NLC would establish a joint committee to review the proposal for any wage increase or award and establish a framework and timeline for implementation.

“The Federal Government, the TUC and the NLC would review World Bank Financed Cash transfer scheme and propose inclusion of low-income earners in the programme.

“The Federal Government, the TUC and the NLC to revive the CNG conversion programme earlier agreed with Labour centres in 2021 and work out detailed implementation and timing.

“The Labour centres and the Federal Government to review issues hindering effective delivery in the education sector and propose solutions for implementation.

“The Labour centres and the Federal Government to review and establish the framework for completion of the rehabilitation of the nation’s refineries.

“The Federal Government to provide a framework for the maintenance of roads and expansion of rail networks across the country.

“All other demands submitted by the TUC to the Federal Government will be assessed by the joint committee.

“Consequently, the parties agreed follows:

“The NLC to suspend the notice of strike forthwith to enable further consultations

“The TUC and the NLC to continue the ongoing engagements with the Federal Government and secure closure on the resolutions above

“The Labour Centres and the Federal Government to meet on June 19, 2023, to agree on an implementation framework.”

Earlier on Monday, the National Industrial Court restrained the Organised Labour from embarking on any form of strike.

Ruling on an exparte application filed before the court, Justice O.Y. Anuwe restrained the defendants (the TUC and the NLC) from embarking on the planned nationwide strike on Wednesday pending the hearing and determination of the motion of notice dated June 5, 2023.

The judge also ordered that the defendants be immediately served with the originating processes, the motion on notice and the order of the court.

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Abuja division, on Monday restrained the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) from embarking on strike over the removal of petrol subsidy.

The federal government had asked the court for an interim injunction preventing the labour unions from proceeding on the strike scheduled to begin on Wednesday.

Delivering the ruling on Monday, Olufunke Anuwe, the presiding judge, said the unions should halt the planned strike pending the hearing and determination of the ex parte motion filed by the federal government.

On June 2, NLC issued a five-day ultimatum to the federal government to revert to the old price of petrol or face a nationwide strike.

Worker unions, including the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), and Nigeria Union of Journalists, have asked their members to join the planned strike.

Owing to the development, the federal government approached the court for an interim injunction.

The presiding judge said the federal government was able to show that the planned strike is capable of disrupting activities in the health and education sectors.

“The defendants/respondents are hereby restrained from embarking on the planned industrial action/or strike of any nature, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice dated 5th June 2023,” the judge said.

“It is ordered that the defendant/respondents be immediately served with the originating processes in this suit, the motion on notice and the order of this court hereby made.

“The motion on notice is hereby fixed for hearing for 19th June 2023. Hearing notices to that effect shall be served on the defendants/respondents along with the other processes.”

As fares have risen following the removal of fuel subsidy, the Kwara State government has directed that work days be reduced from five days to three per week for every worker in the state.

The state government said on Monday that the reduction of working days had become necessary following the astronomical hike in fares.

This is contained in a statement in Ilorin, by Murtala Atoyebi, the Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazak.

The State Head of Service, Mrs Susan Oluwole, therefore directed all Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to immediately work out a format indicating the alternating work days for each worker under them.