A major division between the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has led to partial compliance in the two-day warning strike declared by Nigerian workers over the delay in the implementation of the palliatives announced by the federal government to cushion the effects of its removal of fuel subsidy.Across the states of the federation the TUC and NLC took opposing positions on the strike, which is slated to continue today.
The TUC said it opposed the strike because it would not yield the desired results.
Its chairman in Cross River State, Comrade Monday Ogbodum, condemned a two-day warning strike embarked upon by the leadership of NLC, describing the leadership of NLC as insensitive. Ogbodum, who doubles as chairman, of the Senior Civil Servants Union in Cross River State, stated that TUC is not in support of the strike because NLC did not follow due process before calling out its members to embark on the two-day warning strike, which he described as uncalled for. The TUC chairman made the remarks while speaking with LEADERSHIP in a telephone conversation yesterday after the NLC asked workers in the state to stay at home.
“For due process to be followed, we have two weeks, we have perhaps seven-day ultimatum before finally dragging workers out or shutting down the system.
“We are aware that Nigerians are suffering, but then strike isn’t the ultimate. TUC had been on top of the situation, interfacing with the federal government.
“Dialogue is the key thing. It was through dialogue that the leadership of NLC, TUC and federal government arrived at palliatives of N5bn to states. We are talking of rehabilitation of the refineries; it is not going to be a one-day thing. The president had made a pronouncement that refineries will be put in place on or before December 2023.“Labour is insensitive, that is why we are calling on our members not to participate in the strike. We were just out from a one-day protest. Through the protest we were able to let the federal government know that Nigerians are suffering.“We expected that NLC should have given some time before embarking on the strike. If due process is not followed, that alone can create an opportunity for the government to proceed to the Industrial Arbitration Court to get an injunction which restraints the workers from proceeding on strike.”
When asked if TUC has not been bought over, Ogbodum said, “No, not at all! We are the engine room of the government, we reason together with the government, especially when negotiation is ongoing.”
He said that in 2021, the Union called out its members for a one-month strike in Cross River State only for that exercise to end in futility because that exercise ended up in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, MOU.“Today we are still talking about MOU. So, strike isn’t the ultimate. It should be the last resort if negotiation fails or when the federal government says he can’t do what he is supposed to do.” TUC Chairman maintained.Despite the TUC arm of the labour movement telling its members to shun the NLC-organised strike over delay in the disbursement of the fuel subsidy removal palliatives, the industrial action was total across Akwa Ibom state, it was gathered yesterday.
Giving reasons for the TUC decision to shun the showdown, the state chairman, Comrade Dominic Abang, said:
“Our Congress has been inundated with several calls from the members of the public and some affiliates on the position of TUC on the two-day warning strike called by NLC.
“Arising from the emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Sunday, 3rd September, 2023, the TUC has resolved not to join the nationwide two-day warning strike declared by the NLC for Tuesday 5th and Wednesday 6th September, 2022.
“In this connection, members of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Akwa Ibom State Council, are directed to report to their duty posts during these periods.
“The decision not to join the NLC in the planned warning strike stems from the belief that industrial action is not the destination at this moment, rather the need to sustain the ongoing negotiations with government, and prioritising the relevant dialogue to achieve long-term solutions.
“It is worth noting that in Akwa Ibom state, for instance, the government has initiated actions to alleviate the suffering of the people by providing palliatives which was part of the charter of demands presented during the last labour protest. This demonstrates a commitment to the welfare of the citizens and willingness to address the concerns and needs presented before it.”
However, socio-economic activities, including in the civil service and banks, except the public transportation system, were completely shut yesterday as the state NLC chairman, Comrade Sunny James, called out members, shutting down the Idongesit Nkanga civil service secretariat along Abak Road and the 31 local government area secretariats, barring workers from entering the premises.Addressing the crowd, he said: “A united people can never be defeated. The country must change for the better, Akwa Ibom workers on the march.”The strike suffered partial compliance as Lagos State government and operators in the private sector shunned the strike, hence, people conducted their normal businesses.
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